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China Prepares For Military Parade After Security Summit; At Least 800 Killed As Powerful Quake Hits Afghanistan; Israeli Military Intensifies Attacks On Gaza City; Chicago Braces For Possible Federal Immigration Operation; North Korea Hopes Tourism Can Boost Economy. Aired 12-12:45a ET

Aired September 02, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

[00:00:36]

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM.

Is this a new world order? China welcomes the leaders of Russia, India and North Korea for summits and military parades. But are the handshakes and power dynamics enough to shake up the West?

Rescue efforts underway in remote mountainous regions of Afghanistan after a major earthquake. We'll have a live report on the challenges ahead. Plus, thinking of a holiday, soon, you can enjoy beachside resorts, cafes and luxury stores all in North Korea. We'll take a look at the tourism in the world's most isolated country.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Lynda Kinkade.

KINKADE: Chinese leader Xi Jinping has just unveiled his country's diplomatic vision for the world, framing China as a stable superpower and counterforce to the West during a major security summit this weekend. Now Beijing is preparing to put on a massive show of military strength. On Wednesday, will host a parade marking the end of World War II, following Japan's formal surrender.

China says it will show the country's latest weaponry and military advancements, and it will feature some high profile guests, including the leaders of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, who is traveling to Beijing right now on his famous armored train. And Russian President Vladimir Putin. He joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, China this weekend. There he spoke about a, quote, "new system of security in Eurasia."

China's summits and the upcoming parade come as Beijing and its partners look to solidify ties in opposition to the United States.

Well, CNN senior Chinese reporter Simone McCarthy joins us now from Beijing.

Great to see you, Simone. So Vladimir Putin certainly tops the list of leaders attending Xi's military parade. How significant is it for the Chinese leader to have the Russian president by his side at an event like this? SIMONE MCCARTHY, CNN SENIOR CHINA CORRESPONDENT: Lynda, it is

critical. This is a major moment for Xi Jinping. He's presenting China as a leader on the global stage, an alternative to the United States. As you mentioned, this summit was a critical vehicle over the weekend for that. Now the parade, he's going to showcase China's military might. And having Vladimir Putin next to his side for that is so important because for so long, the two leaders together have pushed forward this narrative that it's time for the West, which has had a world order which does not serve countries like China and Russia and others, to step aside as their leadership comes to the fore.

This is something that they've wanted to rebalance this global order for a long time. And now that we're seeing these major symbols of China's power, having Putin there is so important for Xi. But it's, you know, it's not just the optics. We heard some of the rhetoric that you just played, Lynda, but it's deeper than that. These two leaders appear to have a genuine liking for each other. When we see their interactions on the global stage, they're smiling.

Xi is more animated than he usually is when they're talking together. It's not just that they see themselves as working together to inherit this post-world order. It's really that -- this post-world war order, excuse me. It's really that they're hoping to showcase themselves as the future.

KINKADE: And they kind of share a different view, even though they both want to reshape the world order. What does that mean in their eyes?

MCCARTHY: Well, what that means in their eyes, Lynda, is that for too long, the U.S. and its allies have tried to contain them. They see NATO as a system of alliances that's really trying to push them and keep Xi from expanding his power in Southeast Asia. Putin sees very much that NATO has been encroaching on his borders. That's long been the reason why he says that Ukraine, why he needed to invade Ukraine. That's his justification, which Xi Jinping also backs.

And so for the two of them, after World War II ended, the United States put a set of liberal values like universal human rights, like its alliance system, and impose that on the world. And they see that as really something that's hampering their own ability to expand and show their vision. And I think one thing that we can really see is that both Xi and Putin believe that this is a moment where the East is rising and the West is in a decline.

[00:05:09]

And that's certainly the symbolism that we're going to see as Xi Jinping rolls out his troops and his tanks for this military parade in the coming days, and having Putin there and Kim Jong-un, as you mentioned, as well, and all these other world leaders by his side, that's the kind of symbolism that Xi really wants to bring to the fore.

KINKADE: Exactly. Simone McCarthy in Beijing, great to have you with us. Thank you. Joining me now from Princeton, New Jersey, is Anne-Marie Slaughter,

the CEO of the New American think tank and former director of policy planning in the U.S. State Department.

Great to have you with us.

ANNE-MARIE SLAUGHTER, CEO, NEW AMERICA: It's great to be here.

KINKADE: So this summit looked impressive on camera. China, Russia, India, three of the world's largest economies presenting themselves as leaders of a new global order. From your perspective, how seriously should the U.S. take those optics?

SLAUGHTER: Well, it was a great display. It was perfect -- a perfect shot, I think, for both international and domestic consumption. Certainly on the part of Russia, China and India, internationally. You know, Xi is there with his new world order. The Chinese-led inclusive multilateralism and Putin gets to be up on stage with China and then India, which was the surprise player. So great theater.

But honestly, much more smoke than fire because this is not a paper organization. It's more than that. But it has never done anything more than issue statements. And indeed, Iran is a member. And when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, all the Shanghai Cooperation Organization could do was issue statements denouncing the attacks. So I don't really see the kind of institution at this moment that is going -- is threatening the Western order.

KINKADE: I mean, and to that point, we didn't even hear all members of that group denounce the attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran. Iran, being a full member of this organization.

SLAUGHTER: Exactly.

KINKADE: So what does that mean in terms of the path forward for this organization to evolve into a crisis management body like NATO?

SLAUGHTER: Well, it would need unity or at least a lot more unity. I mean, so India is one of the outliers who refused to condemn those attacks. You don't necessarily need everyone, and they have 10 members now and a whole group of dialogue partners. But you would need in a crisis to be able to come together and make a decision, and then implement some kind of sanctions or even sending troops, although I think they're a long way from that, except maybe in the central Asian region.

The -- it's not just a leaders' summit. If you look at really effective institutions like NATO, like the U.N., for all its problems, these are people who are used to working with one another. The E.U. is another good example. And when there's a crisis, that's the first stop. It may be difficult to get a decision, but you get a decision and then you get action. And that's what would have to happen over time.

KINKADE: And speaking of a crisis involving a member, three years ago both China and India publicly distanced themselves from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I just want to play some sound of what Narendra Modi said at the time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NARENDRA MODI, INDIAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): It is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you many times over the phone on this issue that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue are all the things that make it clear to the world that in the coming days, how can we move on the path of peace?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Yet this summit made no mention of Russia's war in Ukraine. They all looked very friendly. Why the silence? And do you believe that Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska, you know, earlier last month helped normalize Putin on the world stage?

SLAUGHTER: Well, yes, I think -- one of the things that's interesting is that if this were the Biden administration or the George w Bush administration, seeing, you know, Russia and China and a lot of the other members, India again is sort of the unusual one here, that would have strengthened the U.S. hand like this is, you know, these are the folks we have got to stand against. With Trump, that's less clear.

I mean, sometimes he admires Xi and Putin, but mostly what was telling was that India didn't feel any need to bring it up.

[00:10:05]

And of course, India has been buying oil from Russia all along, which made the Biden administration unhappy. And certainly the Trump administration unhappy. I think it was striking that you could have a sizable group, again not, this is not threatening the big global institutions now, but meet and meet with clear enthusiasm and Ukraine is nowhere on the map, nowhere on the agenda.

KINKADE: Yes, exactly. Great to get your perspective and analysis.

Anne-Marie Slaughter in Princeton, New Jersey. Appreciate it. Thank you.

SLAUGHTER: Thank you.

KINKADE: Well, a landslide has killed at least a thousand people in western Sudan. Days of heavy rain caused the disaster that destroyed a village in a remote mountain region on Sunday. According to the Sudan Liberation Movement Army, only one person survived. The group is asking the United Nations and international aid agencies to help them recover remains. The victims sought shelter in the area from the raging war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in North Darfur State.

Rescue efforts continue in Afghanistan in the aftermath of that powerful earthquake that shook the eastern region of the country early Sunday. At least 800 people were killed and more than 2800 injured in this 6.0 magnitude quake centered near Jalalabad. Military helicopters have been flying missions throughout the day to evacuate casualties. Entire towns and villages have been decimated in the remote mountainous region near the border with Pakistan.

For more now, I'm joined by Hanako Montgomery in Tokyo.

Good to have you with us. So entire towns have collapsed under this quake. Just what are the biggest challenges right now facing rescuers as they try to find survivors?

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Lynda, as you said, rescue operators are facing enormous challenges as the situation in Afghanistan is growing increasingly dire. In a video obtained by CNN, you can see residents are having to use shovels to dig through the rubble, to try to find any remaining survivors who might need rescuing.

Also, in a separate video, you can see entire homes have been flattened by Sunday's earthquake and the subsequent aftershocks. Now in eastern Afghanistan, which is a rural part of the country, many homes are made with mud bricks and mud bricks are not very earthquake resistant. So usually when a large tremor like the one on Sunday occurs that could mean that a home collapses trapping people underneath the rubble of their homes.

Now, Lynda, for locals who did survive the earthquake their shock is further compounded by the fact that they've lost their family members, their loved ones, to this natural disaster. Here's one man's account.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): This is my brother Mehrdad Khan's house, where his two sons were murdered. He himself is injured and the women were also wounded. This is a sudden tragedy that happened to the people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MONTGOMERY: Now, Lynda, the Taliban has said that rescue operations are further complicated by the landslides that have been triggered by this earthquake. These landslides have blocked really critical roads needed in order to access some remote parts of the country. So the country is currently using helicopters in order to get access to these remote villages and to airlift out any survivors who need medical attention.

Now what's also further complicating rescue effort, Lynda, is the fact that the country has been facing a humanitarian crisis for years. This crisis was further exacerbated in 2021, when the Taliban took control of the country once more, and when the United States withdrew from the nation. That led to many aid cuts to the country. And right now, we're seeing a severe shortage in medical and food supplies.

And these are supplies that people in Afghanistan desperately, desperately need, especially in times of emergencies such as this one. So again, Lynda, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which we've been seeing for years now, further complicating rescue efforts -- Lynda.

KINKADE: All right. Hanako Montgomery in Tokyo, thanks so much for that update.

Well, there's fear on the streets of Gaza City as more Palestinians flee from Israel's intensifying attacks. We'll have the latest on the conflict next.

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KINKADE: Welcome back. The world's leading Association of Genocide Scholars says Israel's policies and actions in Gaza have met the legal definition of genocide. That announcement coming in a resolution passed by the group. They also say Israel's actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, as defined in international humanitarian law. Israel blasted the accusation, saying it is based on a, quote, "campaign of lies by Hamas." All of this coming as Israel ramps up attacks on Gaza City ahead of a planned full scale assault.

CNN's Jeremy Diamond has more details. But first, a warning his report contains disturbing images.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (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.

[00:20:08]

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, 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 Obeida, the longtime spokesman of Hamas's 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)

KINKADE: Well, right now Israel is considering the possible annexation of parts of the West Bank. Three Israeli officials tell CNN that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an initial discussion on the idea last week, but the security cabinet has not discussed the matter in detail, and no decision has been made.

This is just one of the steps Israel is weighing in retaliation for the anticipated recognition of a Palestinian state by a growing list of countries at this month's U.N. general assembly. The latest to join that list is Belgium, which also plans to impose new targeted sanctions against Israel.

Still to come on CNN NEWSROOM, Chicago braces for a potential flood of federal agents and National Guard troops sometime this week. What we know about the possible federal operation next.

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KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Let's take a look at today's top stories.

Preparations are underway in Beijing for a massive military parade on Wednesday, marking 80 years since Imperial Japan's surrender in World War II. China is using the parade to showcase its latest military technology. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the guests of honor.

A landslide in Sudan has killed at least 1,000 people. It happened after days of heavy rain in a remote mountain area on Sunday. The victims were fleeing the civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces that has been raging for two years. Belgium is the latest country saying that it will recognize a

Palestinian state at this month's U.N. General Assembly. Its deputy prime minister says Belgium aims to put pressure on both Israel and Hamas in light of the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, and in response to the violence committed by Israel in violation of international law. Targeted sanctions will also be imposed.

The city of Chicago is on edge as state and local officials await a potential massive deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents from Washington this week. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to make -- take matters into his own hands, citing the city's crime rate as a reason to intervene. He wrote just a few days ago, quote, "Straighten it out fast or we're coming."

More now from CNN's Jeff Zeleny.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: A potential collision and confrontation is brewing between the White House and the city of Chicago. President Trump and other Trump administration officials signaling that they intend to perhaps send federal troops to Chicago by the end of the week. Our reporting is showing that this would largely be an immigration effort.

[00:30:10]

But of course, mirrored somewhat after Washington, D.C. But Chicago and Washington, of course, so different. Washington, a federal city, where there actually can be a takeover of the police force.

Chicago is not that at all. And Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who's been quarreling with President Trump for weeks over this, said he's not been notified at all.

GOV. J.B. PRITZKER (D), ILLINOIS: No one in the administration, the president or anybody under him, has called anyone in my administration, or -- and me; have not called the city of Chicago or anyone else.

So, it's clear that in secret, they're planning this -- well, it's an invasion with U.S. troops, if they, in fact, do that.

ZELENY (voice-over): So, President Trump and Governor Pritzker have been going back and forth with criticism for weeks, if not longer.

But a central question here is, will there be a legal action that is taken if the federal government is sending in troops to Chicago? It's an open question what that will look like, of course.

But there's no doubt President Trump wants --

ZELENY: -- to make law and order and crime a central focus of the next year heading into the midterm elections. And he's looking for a confrontation with blue state officials. He hopes he finds one in Illinois. Jeff Zeleny, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, North Korea is trying to rebrand itself for the modern age. We're going to get a look at the seaside resorts and luxury goods in the world's most isolated nation after the break.

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[00:36:30]

KINKADE: North Korea has long isolated itself, keeping its doors shut to the outside world. Now, it's trying to project a different image, one with beachside resorts, high-end cafes, and luxury storefronts.

So far, only a handful of foreign tourists have seen it.

CNN's Will Ripley has a rare look inside.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): North Korea wants the world to see this as its Waikiki. Miles of white sand, brand-new hotels, but one big difference: it's nearly empty.

So far, no Western or Chinese tourists are allowed here, just a handful of Russians, including Daria Zhukova (ph) and her friend.

"There were no other foreigners apart from us: 15 people," she says.

They were in the first group of foreigners allowed to visit the Wonsan Kalma beach resort on North Korea's East coast. Strict COVID rules still apply. North Korea, always isolated, has yet to truly reopen.

Daria (ph) says they basically had the whole place to themselves.

The resort is divided into domestic and international zones. Russian tourists are not allowed to mingle with everyday North Koreans, essentially keeping the foreigners in a bubble.

The only North Koreans they met were staff: always close by, always watching.

And in the capital, Pyongyang, a growing consumer culture with a North Korean twist. A posh cafe serving $8 mochas. The layout and logo, just like Starbucks Reserve.

A furniture store staged almost like IKEA, with nearly identical products.

RIPLEY: It doesn't get more American than French fries and milkshakes.

RIPLEY (voice-over): I remember eating at a fast-food place in Pyongyang. The packaging: a lot like McDonald's, minus the golden arch. I also visited their version of the Apple store: smartphones selling

for hundreds of dollars.

RIPLEY: People wouldn't expect to see this kind of thing here in North Korea.

One, two, three.

RIPLEY (voice-over): Of course, most North Koreans don't live like the privileged class in the capital and along the coast.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's pretty good.

RIPLEY (voice-over): Swedish visitor Johan Nylander and his son ran in this year's Pyongyang marathon, the only time Western tourists were allowed in the capital since COVID.

RIPLEY: Were you surprised to see all of that, given how isolated North Korea has been?

JOHAN NYLANDER, SWEDISH VISITOR TO NORTH KOREA: Oh, man. When you go to North Korea, you will be surprised by so many things. I was surprised by the amount of Western brands; that mobile phones are everywhere.

RIPLEY (voice-over): He says these days, mobile payments with QR codes are standard, in a nation cut off from international banking.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wants his country to appear world- class, open for business. But for almost all outsiders, the doors remain bolted shut.

RIPLEY: Tourism is one of the few sectors in North Korea not targeted by U.N. sanctions. Observers say Kim sees it as a lifeline, a way to bring in foreign currency while polishing the country's international image.

The Wonsan Kalma project, in particular, has been touted as a symbol of progress, even floated by some as a potential venue for future summits. Perhaps even with the U.S. president, Donald Trump.

Will Ripley, CNN, Taipei.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, the band Gorillaz is making a major comeback 25 years after their groundbreaking debut.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Somewhere between order and chaos, there is another world. "An exhibition like no other."

[00:40:04]

Somewhere between order and chaos. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Gorillaz are returning to the spotlight. They're in the middle of a four-show residency in London that features an immersive exhibit in Olympic Park.

The group that blended rock and animation is bringing back its eclectic mix of songs, including hits like "Clint Eastwood" and "Rock the House."

The group confirmed in Narch that a new Gorillaz album is coming out later this year.

Well, that does it for this edition of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Lynda Kinkade. I will be back at the top of the hour with much more news. Stay with CNN. WORLD SPORT is next.

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