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France Suspends 3,000 Unvaccinated Healthcare Workers; Italy to Require 'Green Pass' for All Workers; U.S., Europe Disagree on Vaccine Passports; Beijing Harshly Critical of Aukus Security Deal; Afghan Female Judges Fear Attacks from Men They Once Jailed; Satellite Images Reveal Construction Underway at North Korean Enrichment Plant; Indebted China Property Giant Close to Collapse; Cuba Vaccinates Kids as Young as 2. Aired 12-12:45a ET

Aired September 17, 2021 - 00:00   ET

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

JOHN VAUSE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: France left angered by the new Aukus security agreement, while Europe as a whole has just been left out.

[00:00:08]

And hundreds of female judges in Afghanistan now living in hiding, because the Taliban fighters they sent to prison are now out of jail and running the country, and looking for revenge.

In the coming weeks, temperatures in the northern hemisphere will begin to cool as summer gives way to autumn. And that seasonal change could also bring another surge of COVID infections, as many, once again, head indoors to overheated rooms with poor ventilation.

To try and minimize the spread of the coronavirus, both France and Italy are now cracking down, while also announcing new requirements for COVID passports.

French officials have also suspended around 3,000 healthcare workers who failed to get vaccinated by Wednesday's deadline. Most were support staff, and officials say many have now decided to get their shots.

Italy is imposing some of the world's toughest COVID regulations. Starting October 15, all public and private-sector workers are required to show proof of vaccination. A recent negative test result, or recent recovery from COVID. If they can't, they could be suspended, or fined.

We'll hear from CNN's Ben Wedeman in Rome in just a moment, but we will begin with CNN's Jim Bittermann, reporting in from Paris.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After weeks of warnings from the government, about 3,000 healthcare workers were suspended this morning from their jobs in hospitals and old-age homes, because they have not started vaccination programs. The health minister, in making the announcement, said the 3,000 was

only a small fraction of the 2.7 million people people who work in the healthcare sector. And he said that, in fact, most of those who are suspended are in support jobs, not necessarily dealing directly with patients.

And he also said that he thinks that the 3,000 will be temporary suspensions because, in fact, people will get their vaccinations once they realize that the government is very serious about its vaccination mandates.

He also added this. He said, our country of rights and obligations, healthcare workers have abdication to save the sick, because healthcare workers have always acted responsibly.

Jim Bittermann, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Italy has become the first country in Europe to require all workers in the public, as well as the private sectors, to provide proof that they are either fully vaccinated, have been tested negative for coronavirus, or have recently recovered from the disease.

Thursday evening, the government announced these measures in a decree which will go into effect on the 15th of October.

Since early August, the so-called green pass has been required for entry into museums, galleries, sporting, and entertainment venues, as well as for, for instance, indoor dining.

Since early September, green passes have also been compulsory for domestic air flights, train travel between regions, as well as sea travel.

Italy is eager to avoid another wave of coronavirus, as winter approaches.

Failure to comply with these latest measures, some of the toughest anywhere, include suspension, but not dismissal, from work, as well as heavy fines for both workers and employers.

Italy was one of the hardest-hit countries in the early phases of the pandemic. And, among European countries, has the second highest death toll after the United Kingdom.

But it's come a long way since then. According to government statistics, 75 percent of the population over the age of 12 in Italy is now fully vaccinated.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE) VAUSE: Joining me now from Los Angeles, Anne Rimoin, professor of epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Professor, good to see you. Welcome back.

ANNE RIMOIN, PROFESSOR OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, UCLA FIELDING SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH: Nice to be here.

VAUSE: There is really just this inconsistency, globally, when it comes to these COVID-19 passports. Many countries in Europe are embracing the idea. A headline in "The Economist" explains why. "How France tackled vaccine hesitancy. COVID-19 passports have proved efficient, and surprisingly popular."

Well, in many states in the U.S., where vaccination rates are low and hospital admissions are high, mandating COVID passports have been banned. There's an executive, signed by the governor of Florida, which says businesses, and schools, and government agencies which are asking for proof of vaccination for customers or staff can now be fined $5,000. They have it on -- from starting on Thursday.

[00:05:04]

So, people will most likely die of this in this process. But I guess it's almost like a real-time experiment now to find out just how effective these COVID passports are in boosting vaccinations and protecting the health of the community. The problem is, it's an experiment we don't really need.

RIMOIN: Well, John, I couldn't agree more. I think that, you know, this issue of vaccine passports has become politicized, like everything else. We have many examples of this. The yellow fever vaccine has been required globally for decades. And that is a perfect example.

We also require vaccinations in schools, for health workers, for many, many vaccines. So this is not a new concept. And it's really not only to keep these health workers safe, but to keep everybody safe in a hospital, for example.

And the same thing for vaccine passports, going to places. You want to be able to reduce the probability of having this virus spread. If you are vaccinated, you are less likely to get COVID. You are less likely to spread COVID.

And I think that we really have not -- we've run out of options here. So, very important concept to be able to consider at this point.

VAUSE: Yes, absolutely. About 24 states in the U.S. are threatening to sue the Biden administration for mandating vaccines.

Here's part of the president's response. And it begins by referencing the state of Mississippi and its requirements for vaccines. Here it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In Mississippi, children are required to be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus, and more. These are state requirements.

But, in the midst of a pandemic that has already taken over 660,000 lives, I propose a requirement for COVID vaccines, and the governor of that state calls it, quote, "a tyrannical type move?" A tyrannical type move?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: It does raise the question: why the anger, and outrage, and the outright refusal over COVID vaccine?

RIMOIN: Well, you know, John, I think that the problem is that this virus has become very political. It's unlike any other virus that we are -- that we're dealing with and that we have a vaccine for.

So I think that the problem is, we've let politics get in front of public health, and we are now paying the price. We are a country that has -- you know, is struggling to -- to get our numbers up with vaccination. We are now seeing outbreaks. We're seeing hospitals overwhelmed, again, in certain states. And we're going to continue to pay the price, until we can get enough vaccines in arms.

And these kind of statements by governors, political statements that are happening, really continue to polarize an issue which should really only be about public health, not about politics.

VAUSE: The messaging, overall, on vaccination has been sort of a very gently, gently, softly, softly approach. It's a personal choice. The problem is that it's not.

Mississippi, for example, has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, while the highest number of children being treated in hospital for COVID. There is a connection between those two numbers, especially for children under 12. Right?

RIMOIN: Absolutely. What we know is that cases are increasing dramatically in places where we have low vaccination rates. And they're increasing dramatically, in particular, in children and young adults. In particular, children who don't have an option to be vaccinated at this point. And they really rely on everybody else around them who can get vaccinated, getting vaccinated.

That is really the benefit of having high vaccination rates, as it protects those people who cannot get vaccinated and -- and are really vulnerable to this virus.

And a reminder, we have the Delta variant that is spreading. This is not like the original strain. It is so much more contagious than -- than the original strain, so the stakes -- the stakes are just that much higher.

VAUSE We'll finish up with the wisdom of radio shock jock Howard Stern. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOWARD STERN, RADIO SHOCK JOCK: When are we going to stop putting up with the idiots in this country and just say you now, it's mandatory to get vaccinated. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) them. (EXPLETIVE DELETED) their freedom. I want my freedom to live.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: At what point is there that recognition of the rights of the vaccinated? When does that happen?

RIMOIN: Well, I think what -- we're really coming to a point now where -- where people are tired of -- of seeing these rates continue, despite to see the unnecessary illness, the unnecessary death and the burden that it's placing on our health system.

You know, we have to remember, it isn't just about a personal choice of vaccination or not vaccination. If you are unvaccinated, you are more likely to suffer severe disease, hospitalization, and death. We're seeing hospitals overwhelmed.

That doesn't just impact people who have COVID. That also means, if you have a heart attack, it is much less likely to get care. We've all heard stories of this. If you have a stroke, you are much [SIC] likely to get care. You are much likely [SIC] to get care if you are in a car accident, if the hospitals are overwhelmed.

So, this issue of how this -- the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone is becoming clearer and clearer, as we see these waves. And people who need care being -- being really unable to get it, because the hospitals are overwhelmed with cases of COVID.

VAUSE: And a lot of people who will die in the coming weeks and months, say that's all unnecessary at this point.

Anne, thank you. Anne Rimoin there in Los Angeles. Appreciate it.

Well, independent advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are meeting in the coming hours to discuss whether America's need COVID booster shots yet.

The key questions being considered are, is immunity waning and will boosters restore it? Model studies now show that a third dose of Pfizer's, or Moderna's vaccines, while a second dose of Johnson & Johnson's turbocharge the production of antibodies.

But the FDA will also look at data to see if immunity is starting to drop off among Americans who were among the first to be vaccinated this week, followed by a meeting of CDC vaccine advisers next week.

Well, China is outraged. France feels betrayed, Europe left out. The reaction, the day after the U.S., U.K., and Australia announced a new security deal, which will see Australia build a fleet of nuclear- powered submarines, which Beijing fears could also be armed with nuclear weapons.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZHAO LIJIAN, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN (through translator): The cooperation between the United States, Britain, and Australia on nuclear-powered submarines has severely damaged regional peace and stability, intensified the arms race, and undermined international nuclear, non-proliferation efforts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Soon after the trilateral deal was announced Wednesday, an op- ed in China's "Global Times" tabloid newspaper, taunted Canberra as Washington's "running dog," warned that Australian sailors would likely be the first ones to die in a naval confrontation with China.

The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, seemed unconcerned. After all, this agreement will see Australia build eight -- up to eight world-class, nuclear-powered submarines with British and U.S. technology. Only a handful of countries have achieved this so far.

And that $65 billion -- $65 billion deal, I should say, with France to build diesel electric subs? That's been canceled, and Paris is livid.

But in London, a very different mood as the prime minister told Parliament this new trilateral agreement checks a lot of boxes in post-Brexit Britain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BORIS JOHNSON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: The integrated review of foreign and defense policy described Britain's renewed focus on the Indo-Pacific, a region that is fast becoming the geopolitical center of the world, ever more important for British trade, and therefore for British jobs and British livelihoods.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Max Boot is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He's also a columnist for "The Washington Post." He joins us this hour from New York.

Max, it's good to have you with us again.

MAX BOOT, SENIOR FELLOW, COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS: Good to be here.

VAUSE: OK. Now that the dust has settled a little, we know some more about the details about this agreement. There's no doubt, this security arrangement is a big deal. It's significant.

The immediate reporting, though, in Australia, after the announcement, painted this trilateral arrangement, though, in terms of being China's worst nightmare. Beijing isn't happy, but it seems that it's not really in the worst nightmare territory. Is it? BOOT: I wouldn't say it's China's worst nightmare. You know, something

like Taiwan declaring independence might be China's worst nightmare. This is probably a lesser variety of nightmare.

But it's definitely bad news for China, because it suggests that Australia is not going to cave into Beijing's bullying. And you will recall that, in the last year or two, Beijing has really been turning the screws, reducing its -- its buy of Australian exports to punish Australia for criticizing Beijing on human rights violations and demanding a probe of the origins of COVID-19 and so forth.

And it turns out that that pressure has backfired spectacularly, because it has simply led Australia back into America's arms.

VAUSE: In some ways, this could be a nightmare for France, who are accusing Australia of betrayal, being two-faced, after tearing up an agreement to buy French diesel-powered subs. Here's France's foreign minister.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEAN-YVES LE DRIAN, FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): It is really, to put it plainly, a stab in the back. We have built a relationship of trust with Australia. This trust has been betrayed. And, today, I'm angry with plenty of bitterness, regarding this break. This is not done between allies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: The bigger issue here, is it the fact that the United States doesn't trust France with its nuclear technology?

BOOT: I mean, I wouldn't put it that way. I mean, France, actually has nuclear-powered submarines.

The issue is that Australia would rather have American nuclear-powered submarine technology, rather than France's diesel-powered submarine technology. Because nuclear-powered subs are just a lot more effective, and especially in the wide spaces of the Pacific Ocean.

[00:15:18]

Of course, you know, France is upset, because they are, potentially, losing out on a $60 billion contract. But, remember, that contract is up in the air anyways, because of French cost overruns. And so there was a dispute going on, anyway, between France and Australia.

There's no question that the U.S. probably could have handled this better, diplomatically. I can't understand why France was only notified about this deal at virtually the same time that it was publicly announced. That, to me, seems like a big fail.

But, overall, you know, I don't think there's any way to simply avoid having France be unhappy about this. But I think it's -- it's still a big win for the United States. And I think it's a big one for Australia. And I think it's a big win for all the countries that are worried about Chinese expansionism.

And, I expect that the U.S.-French alliance, which has lasted more than two centuries, will survive this flap.

VAUSE: Europe, though, as a whole is totally out of the loop on this deal, much like the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan took them by surprise, as well. If there's a clear message from Aukus being directed at Beijing, it's an unattended one, coming -- heading over to Europe.

BOOT: I think there's no question that this shows that not all of the tensions in the U.S.-European relationship were created by Donald Trump. They were certainly exacerbated by Trump, but those tensions are not going away simply because President Biden is in office.

And I think, you know, part of that is certainly Biden could be more mindful of the Europeans. And again, Biden did really not consult their European allies on the Afghanistan withdrawal even though they had more troops there than we did.

And again, in this deal with Australia, there should have been more outreach to France to begin with. But, you know, at the end of the day, there's simply some differing interests between the U.S. and Europe. In particular, the United States, as a Pacific power, is much more worried about the rise of China than the Europeans are.

VAUSE: Back in June, NATO actually did turn its focus to the Pacific, declared China a strategic challenge for the first time. There was this sense, I guess, that Europe and the United States were, you know, almost on the same page here in how to confront Beijing. What happened?

BOOT: I mean, I'm not sure that there's a fundamental shift in European perceptions of China. I think this is just French pique over losing out on this very lucrative contract. I think that's -- that's all that's going on. I'm not sure that other European countries, like Germany, care much one way and the other.

And of course, the United Kingdom is part of this deal, as well, with Australia, so they're -- they're very much on board.

But again, I just don't see that the Europeans are going to be as opposed to Chinese expansionism as the United States is going to be, because the Europeans don't have the same equities in the Pacific. They don't have forces in South Korea and in Japan, as we do. They don't have the trade links and the strategic links that we have in that region.

So it's something going to be more of a concern for the United States then the Europeans. But I think European concern about Chinese human rights issues and Chinese expansionism is certainly growing, and that has, you know, placed a big question mark over the European-Chinese trade accord that was concluded last year.

VAUSE: Max, it's good to see you again. Thank you for being with us.

Max Boot, columnist for "The Washington Post." Take care.

Well, coming up here, the Taliban have made it clear they're no fan of women in the workplace, especially, it seems, female judges, the ones who sent Taliban fighters to jail.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NABILA, AFGHAN JUDGE (through translator): A day or two after the Taliban arrived in Kabul, my personal number was called, and I was threatened with revenge, threatened with murder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:21:15]

VAUSE: A possible Islamist attack in a synagogue in the German city of Hagen has been foiled by police. They say they received a very specific and serious tip that an attack on a synagogue could take place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism.

A 16-year-old Syrian and three others have been arrested. This comes two years after a gunmen shot dead two people during an antisemitic rampage, also on Yom Kippur in eastern Germany.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has only gotten worse since the Taliban took control. The head of the U.N. refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, was is Kabul Wednesday. He was showed a warehouse full of relief supplies, but he warns the situation is desperate, and more urgent help is needed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FILIPPO GRANDI, U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER: In the last few months alone, hundreds of thousands, more than half A million Afghans have been freshly displaced by recent fighting, adding themselves to the millions that were displaced in previous years. Many of them are slipping out in the open. Food is very scarce in the country. Medicines are lacking. The situation from the humanitarian point of view is pretty desperate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: There are those still desperate to flee Afghanistan, including hundreds of female judges, now living in fear of reprisal attacks from the men they sent to jail.

CNN's Anna Coren joins us now, live from Hong Kong with more on this. It is incredibly difficult to think what these women are going through right now.

ANNA COREN, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's extraordinary, John. And very frightening for these women.

You know, when the Taliban came to power a month ago, they promised that women would be respected, they'd be a part of society. And they'd be allowed to work, remembering a generation of women have been educated in the last 20 years.

As we know, the reality on the ground couldn't be any further from the truth. Powerful, important women in Afghanistan like these judges now are under threat. Not only can they -- they can't work, they also have a targets on their heads. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COREN (voice-over): Childhood laughter shared by two young sisters who have no idea about the dangers they now face. Their mother, Nabila (ph), was a judge in Afghanistan, a profession now made impossible for women. The Taliban has told them not to return to work. And now the whole family has a target on their heads.

NABILA (through translator): A day or two after the Taliban arrived in Kabul, my personal number was called, and I was threatened with revenge, threatened with murder. And I had to cancel my phone numbers.

COREN: The family is currently in hiding, in fear of being hunted down by men she put behind bars, some of whom have now been freed by the Taliban.

NABILA (through translator): Because of this threat from the prisoners, I change my house once every four days. I hide there, and I try to never go out.

COREN: Her fear compounded after a policewoman, eight months pregnant, was murdered by the Taliban, according to her family, a claim the Taliban deny.

Nabila is one of around 200 women judges left stranded in Afghanistan. Many of them presided over the worst cases of violence against women, including rape, murder, and domestic abuse.

Some of them had even traveled to the U.S. for a judicial education program.

Under the cover of darkness and gunfire, a few dozen others have managed to get out. One experienced high court judge risked her life to flee the country after the Taliban came looking for her.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Five members of the Taliban came to my area asking my neighbors about me. I relocated again, because I was so scared they could find me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[00:25:05]

COREN: This judge managed to escape with her nieces and nephews on a flight from Kabul after days of waiting at the airport. She wants to keep their identity hidden, as she fears for family members back home.

They landed safely in Poland and are now trying to get to the U.S. But the judge can't forget the life she left behind.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Now I feel like I lost everything. Imagine you have a personality, a career, respect, a home, a car, a life and everything. And suddenly, you leave everything.

COREN: As chaos and uncertainty unfold inside Afghanistan, the U.S.- based International Association of Women Judges is trying to help more of their Afghan members to leave. But they say western countries need to do more.

VANESSA RUIZ, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN JUDGES: Governments need to be better, more agile, more generous, frankly, in giving admission to people who are in danger in Afghanistan. We're not going to abandon them. We're not going to forget them, and we're not going to let the world ignore them.

COREN: For those left behind, like Nabila, escape is their only hope, as they see no future in the homeland under Taliban rule. But she hopes one day she will be allowed to return to the bench.

NABILA (through translator): We have been working for many years to combat violence, oppression and injustice, and I want to continue with my work.

COREN: Her bravery in protecting Afghanistan's women, despite the dangers, was to create a better future for her daughters. A generation that now faces a dark reality under the new regime.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COREN: So John, as we said, there are about 200 female judges desperately trying to get out of the country, fearing for their lives. Fearing for their families' safety.

But it's not just these women. I was speaking to a human rights activist who is in Kabul at the moment. She runs a shelter for women, for their children. And she is currently looking after dozens of them.

She said the Taliban does not want to see us. They do not want to hear us. She said, I need to get these women out. And she said to me John, quote, "They are not going to let them live a life worth living." They were her words. A woman who has lived in Afghanistan for decades. It's just -- it's tragic.

VAUSE: Yes, it is, and it's getting worse by the day. Anna, thank you. Anna Coren, live for us there in Hong Kong.

We'll take a short break. When we come back, just what's happening in one of North Korea's uranium enrichment plants? In a moment, find out what new satellite images have revealed.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VAUSE: Welcome back, everyone. I'm John Vause. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. Satellite images, obtained by CNN, are raising new concerns about

North Korea's nuclear weapons program. This image, taken earlier this week by Maxar Technologies, indicates construction is underway at a key uranium enrichment plant.

CNN's Paula Hancocks following the story live for us this hour in Seoul. So Paula, what exactly are we looking at here?

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, what these images show, according to analysis from the Middlebury Institute, is that there is an expansion going on, at the moment, at the Yongbyon nuclear power facility. Now, this is the key nuclear facility in North Korea.

And what we understand from the institute is that they're trying to expand the floor space. So it appears, according to Jeffrey Lewis, a weapons expert, that they are trying to expand it by approximately 1,000 meters, which means they could potentially add 1,000 centrifuges, which means that they could increase their production of weapons-grade uranium by 25 percent.

Now, this is in keeping, according to two sources familiar with the situation, with what U.S. officials believe to be the case, as well, saying that they're aware of these images, and they think that they are, potentially, North Korea, potentially increasing their weapons production, and their uranium production, as well.

And remember, just at the end of August, there was also a report by the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, saying that they believe one of the reactors within this same nuclear complex had been restarted.

So, put it all together, what we are seeing is a push forward, potentially, from North Korea, in increasing the amount of weapons- grade material that it is going to produce. And of course, it comes at the same time, the same week, that we have seen a number of missiles being launched, as well.

VAUSE: And if you put this together with the current economic crisis in the country, and North Korea often earns hard currency by selling weapons to -- you know, illicitly, around the world. So I guess that's another factor in all of this?

HANCOCKS: That's always a factor that experts and officials are looking at. What is the proliferation possibility? Now at this point, of course, there is a food crisis, we understand, within North Korea,

Kim Jong-un himself, the leader, has even alluded to it, as they have shut their borders since January of 2020, for fears of COVID-19. So, there is very little getting into the country at this point. They've had bad harvests. They've had bad weather, flooding, typhoons. All these put together means they do have a food crisis.

And yet, at the same time, we are still seeing from these satellite images, from the report by the IAEA, and also from the missile launches that we saw this week, and the long-range cruise missiles over the weekend. They are still putting their focus, and their cash, into the nuclear and the weapons programs.

So despite all that they are facing, all the difficulties that Pyongyang appears to be facing at this point, the focus is still very much on the weapons and military capability.

VAUSE: Paula, thank you. Paula Hancocks, live for us in Seoul.

Well, too big to fail is back. This time, it's a Chinese real estate company called Evergrande, struggling under a staggering $300 billion debt, especially on how to cut costs, or sell assets, before a default causes shockwaves throughout the economy.

CNN's Kristie Lu Stout has more now on the company's struggles and what's at stake.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is the Chinese giant that lives up to its name. Evergrande is one of the biggest real estate groups in China. Owner of a football team, it's also built a football academy thought to be the biggest of its kind.

It's also building the world's biggest football stadium, a massive lotus flower that will seat 100,000.

And its latest claim to fame?

(on camera): The Hong Kong-listed Evergrande has become China's most indebted developer, with liabilities worth more than $300 billion. The cash-strapped property firm is struggling to pay it back.

(voice-over): Sending its stock price plummeting, prompting ratings agencies to downgrade its status and warning it could default, which could send shockwaves through China's economy.

(on camera): So how did Evergrande get into this mess?

MATTIE BEKINK, CHINA DIRECTOR, ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT: It's built as many as 600,000 homes, annually, and has a massive debt load of 56 times bigger now then it was a decade ago. It's also strayed far from its core business. It's founded a colossal football academy, a bottled water brand, which was then later sold, and an electric car company.

STOUT: Disgruntled and desperate investors have protested at company headquarters in Shenzhen.

"They've cheated me out of all of my money. I have nothing left," says one unidentified investor.

[00:35:03]

The real estate giant said online speculation about its bankruptcy are, quote, "completely untrue," adding, "The company has, indeed, encountered unprecedented difficulties of present, but the company is determined to do everything possible to restore the operation as usual, and protect the legitimate rights, and interests, of customers."

That has done little to pacify angry investors in Shenzhen and elsewhere in China. Videos circulating on social media show what is described as an Evergrande protest in Hainan, in Nanchang, and in Chengdu. CNN could not tell verify the footage.

In August, China's central bank summoned Evergrande execs and warned the company to reduce its debt. Analysts say it's likely Beijing would intervene.

(on camera): Will the Chinese government step in to save it?

BEKINK: Here at the EIU, we do, ultimately, expect that the government will intervene in Evergrande's case, as it will not allow the company's defaults to spread into the banking system.

NIGEL STEVENSON, ANALYST, GMT RESEARCH: The problem is, if large numbers of those buyers of properties don't receive their properties, then that's going to cause contagion into other property developers. People are going to lose confidence.

STOUT: There's just too much at stake. China's economy is sputtering because of its aggressive response to the Delta variant, and supply chain issues. Chinese markets have plunged, as regulators target tech, education, and other private enterprises.

A major default is the last thing China needs. So, Evergrande, living up to its name, has become too big to fail.

Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: Coming up next on CNN NEWSROOM, in Cuba, children as young as 2 are being vaccinated. We'll explain how that's playing into Havana's plan for an economic recovery.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

VAUSE: The world is falling way short of commitments made in the Paris climate agreement. Three U.N. agencies report greenhouse gas emissions are increasing, despite lockdowns and an economic slowdown during the pandemic. Levels for some sectors returning to pre-pandemic levels. A U.N. expert says that is the surprise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETTERI TAALAS, WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION SECRETARY-GENERAL: There may be some thinking that the COVID lockdown would have a positive impact on the real -- real atmosphere, which is not the case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: The report also says the gap between where greenhouse gas emissions are, and where they should be, is larger than ever. And scientists are calling for bigger cuts in emissions to meet the targets agreed to in the Paris climate accord.

European scientists say the hole in the ozone layer above the South Pole is now larger than all of Antarctica. It appears every year between August and October, breaks down by December, usually, when ozone level start to fall.

But this year, it's already bigger than what scientists usually see at this point.

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The ozone layer protects the earth from ultraviolet radiation. The hole is being blamed on chemicals like chlorine and bromide, which are being phased out. But the ozone layer, still, not expected to fully recover until at least the 2060s.

Cuba is not allowing economic problems to hold back efforts to fight the COVID pandemic. It has not one, but three homegrown vaccines. And now, it's seeking World Health Organization approval for all of them.

As CNN's Patrick Oppmann reports, it's hoped that this move will bring the country one step closer to reopening schools by holding large- scale vaccinations for children as young as 2.

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PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): First comes the jab, and then the tears. In this one clinic in Havana, the day we visited, over 230 children between the ages of 2 and 5 were vaccinated, hospital administrators tell us.

Several countries around the world have begun to vaccinate children, but Cuba is believed to be the first to vaccinate toddlers on a large scale. Even though COVID vaccinations aren't mandatory here, Laura (ph) tells me she didn't hesitate to bring her 4-year-old daughter, Anisol (ph), to get the shot.

"I am relieved," she says, "because a lot of people are still getting sick. And with the vaccine, we are more protected."

Rather than rely on importing vaccines from abroad, Cuba has produced its own homegrown anti-COVID drugs. The island's government says studies show they are safe, even in children, and have begun sending data to the World Health Organization for its approval.

With the Delta variant, cases in children are soaring in Cuba. And just since August, 10 children have died, according to government statistics, something doctors here tell us that they didn't expect would happen.

"It's more gratifying to vaccinate a child," she says. "You put the vaccine, and know they're going to be immunized and won't have serious complications, or even die from COVID."

The pandemic has hit Cuba hard, with food and medicine shortages. And in-person schooling canceled, indefinitely. (on camera): Cuban officials have said that they would reopen schools

in early September, but with a surge of new cases and deaths, those plans are on hold. Now, officials say, they can safely reopen schools as they complete an island-wide vaccination campaign that includes children.

(voice-over): I meet Mycel (ph), and her daughter Paola (ph) right before the 3-year-old gets her vaccine.

"I'm very happy," she says. "More than when I got vaccinated. Vaccinating her is the biggest comfort yet."

Cuba's vaccines require three doses, so there are more jabs to come for these kids. But, parents say, if it means that life can begin to return to normal for their children, then all the tears will have been worth it.

Patrick Oppmann, CNN, Havana.

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VAUSE: Thank you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm John Vause. Please stay with us. WORLD SPORT starts after a break. And I'll see at the top of the hour.

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