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IDF Ramps Up Gaza City Strikes Ahead of Ground Operation; Kirk Shooting Suspect to Make First Court Appearance Tuesday; Trump to Travel to U.K. for His Second State Visit; China and Trump Administration Agree on Framework for TikTok in the U.S.; Bad Bunny Residency Inspires and Energizes Puerto Rico. Aired 12-12:45a ET

Aired September 16, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

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

The U.S. tells Israel they have their full support for a military offensive as a former IDF chief warns one in 10 people have been killed in Gaza already.

The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk is set to make his first court appearance in Utah as investigators share more details about the suspect's background.

And the U.S. expands its war on drugs, striking another alleged smuggling boat, and decertifying a number of countries they believe aren't doing enough to counter narcotics.

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

KINKADE: We begin in Gaza, where the Israeli military is pounding the city ahead of a ground offensive. On Monday, the IDF launched an airstrike on the tallest building in the enclave. CNN has recorded the destruction of at least a dozen high rise buildings in Central Gaza since early September.

The U.S. secretary of state met with Israeli prime minister on Monday. Sources tell CNN that Marco Rubio told Netanyahu that Israel has the full support of the U.S. for the assault on Gaza City, but stressed the operation should move quickly. The U.S. President Trump is warning Hamas that all bets are off if they use hostages as human shields. Hamas says the fate of the hostages lies in the hands of the Netanyahu government.

More than 10 percent of Gaza's population have been killed or injured since the war began. That's according to a former Israeli military chief who oversaw the first 17 months of conflict. That number is expected to rise when Israel launches its ground invasion of Gaza City.

CNN's Jeremy Diamond has more. We need to warn you some of the images in this report are disturbing. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Gaza City trembles with each new blast. Lately, its residents have faced one strike after another.

The reality on the ground is even more terrifying. Bloodied and shaken, the injured are rushed out amid swirls of smoke and ash. Wounded children carried once again into hospitals ill equipped to handle the rising tide of casualties that accompanies Israel's intensifying bombardment of Gaza City. More than 140 were killed here over the weekend according to local hospitals.

A wave of attacks that shook many here into fleeing the city. Sleepy children bundled into their parents' arms. Essential belongings lugged by those forced to move once again. At daybreak, their numbers multiply. A mass exodus on a scale not seen in Gaza in many months. More than 100,000 people were displaced this weekend alone, according to Israeli military estimates.

"I'm coming from death indiscriminate bombardments, martyrs in the streets," Mohammed says. "It is a miracle we survived."

Old and young pressed south towards an uncertain future. Those who can afford it pay to ride on top of trucks and trailers. For many here, this is not a first. They have been forced to pile their entire lives on top of cars and makeshift carts before. They have already lost so much, and they are exhausted.

This man says 25 of his relatives have already been killed.

"I left only for these children, but I wish a rocket would hit me and I die and find comfort because this is not life," he says, his frustration rising.

The hundreds of thousands who still remain in Gaza City will face much more destruction and loss as Israel prepares to send ground forces into the city in the coming days.

Ahmed is inconsolable as he walks amid the rubble of another Israeli strike. A military evacuation order allowed him to escape with his life, but little else.

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"The house is gone. Where will we stay," he cries. But he won't find any answers here. And so many others are asking themselves the same question.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, joining me now is CNN military analyst and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton. Great to have you on the program, Colonel. I want to start with the

escalation of attacks because there's so much debate over whether the offensive to seize control of Gaza City has officially begun, and if it hasn't yet, what key changes should we expect once it does?

COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Yes, Lynda. Good to be with you. One of the key things to look for, I think, is the intensity of the activity. So we've already seen a lot of aerial activity. That may increase in intensity as this offensive moves forward. Of course we'll also be seeing ground movements. And I would expect to see armored personnel carriers, tanks, things like that. Vehicles like that, that the IDF would be using in order to move into the main part of Gaza City.

They are going to really have to find a way to work their way through the rubble. They're going to have to find their way to work through some of the tunnels that are still left by Hamas, that Hamas is still manning, you know, at the moment. Of course, they've destroyed a lot of the high rises, and that's going to be, you know, one of the key things to look at even further destruction and of course movements of troops. Probably from several directions in and around Gaza City.

I would expect them to come from the east, the north and the south, and that would then be a key indicator that this offensive has actually begun.

KINKADE: The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Israel offering strong U.S. support to Prime Minister Netanyahu's objective of dismantling Hamas. Given the enormous humanitarian cost already and the possibility of new radicalized groups emerging, what strategies should Israel and the international community consider to ensure long term stability in Gaza?

LEIGHTON: Well, I think this type of operation is definitely not the way to go when it comes to ensuring some kind of a long term strategy that would change the governance structure in Gaza and would also change the likelihood of further terrorists being born out of this -- out of this absolute crisis. But what we'll really see I think in this particular case is once this invasion happens, it's going to be really incumbent upon the IDF to take care of the humanitarian situation that will undoubtedly get worse under these circumstances.

And that's going to, I think, be very tough for them to do because the IDF does have a humanitarian component to it, an organization that handles humanitarian issues, but it is not really set up to do this on as large a scale as will be necessary in this particular case. That would be one of the key elements of a strategy that would be necessary for the -- for this development to work in that way. But it is something that the Israelis, I think, are going to find difficult to actually execute.

KINKADE: And of course, Colonel, families of hostages have expressed frustration, saying Netanyahu has not done enough to prioritize their safe return. In light of this new offensive in Gaza City and the recent attack on Hamas negotiators in Doha, what are the potential risks and benefits of pursuing military objectives over diplomatic negotiations?

LEIGHTON: Yes, there are a lot of risks in pursuing military objectives when it comes to hostages. There are, of course, ways in which you can free hostages using very precise, pinpoint military operations. But that's not what the Israelis are doing in this particular case.

And, Lynda, when you look at the types of forces that are going to be arrayed against positions in Gaza City, it really puts the hostages' lives unfortunately at risk. And it's going to basically be a miracle if these people survive, if the hostages survive, because the type of force that's going to be used is basically very blunt. It's blunt force. And when, in this particular case, really precision efforts would be necessary in order to get the hostages out via military means. And even that would be extremely risky, especially given these circumstances.

KINKADE: Mm-hmm. Colonel Cedric Leighton, always great to get your analysis. Thanks so much for joining us.

LEIGHTON: You bet, Lynda. Any time.

KINKADE: Well, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk is set to make his first court appearance on Tuesday in Utah. One official says a lot more information on the investigation is expected to be released once the state files charges against suspect Tyler Robinson.

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Well, more vigils are being held for Kirk, who was fatally shot last week. U.S. President Trump says he plans to speak at Kirk's funeral in Arizona on Sunday, calling him, quote, "an amazing guy."

CNN's Ed Lavandera has more from Utah.

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ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The 22-year-old man accused of shooting and killing conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk here on the campus of Utah Valley University is slated to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday here in Utah. It will be a brief appearance, and it will come after prosecutors formally filed the criminal charges against him, which will include aggravated murder.

State officials here have already said that they will pursue the death penalty in this case. But this is a hearing that's expected to be rather brief. But we are learning new information about how all of this unfolded. His arrest and some other investigative details that authorities are sharing. According to a "Washington Post" report, the suspect confessed to a group of friends in a Discord chat group just hours before he was taken into custody, telling the chat group, quote, "Hey, guys, I have some bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this." This is according to two people, two sources the newspaper quotes, and

also says that the suspect went on to tell the group that he would be surrendering shortly and that he would thank them all for the good times and the laughs. And then about two hours later is when we know from previous reporting that he was confronted by his father and another family friend, turned him -- turned him to authorities. Then he was taken into custody.

And the FBI director is also releasing new information, saying that they have recovered messages where the suspect, Tyler Robinson, said that he had the opportunity to take out -- if he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and that he was going to take it. So new information there, all of this coming on the eve of the 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson making his initial court appearance here in Utah on Tuesday.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Orem, Utah.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: President Trump says the U.S. Military killed three people in international waters near South America. He shared this video of the strike on Truth Social, and claimed that those on board were, quote, "confirmed narco terrorists," transporting illegal drugs from Venezuela.

Less than two weeks ago, the U.S. said it killed 11 people when it struck another boat that it claimed was tied to a Venezuelan gang. The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, is warning of, quote, "a great war," saying it could break out if the U.S. fills the Caribbean with missiles and gunpowder.

Well, the Trump administration says Colombia has failed to -- in its obligation to fight drug trafficking. It blames President Gustavo Petro for what it says are all-time records in cocaine production. President Petro is an outspoken critic of President Trump. The U.S. will continue to provide funding for Colombia.

The Trump administration says it will consider changing the decertification if Colombia works to reduce cocaine production and trafficking, and holds criminal organizations accountable. President Trump has also decertified Afghanistan, Bolivia, Myanmar and Venezuela for failing to fight drug trafficking.

Britain's King Charles is planning a royal welcome for Donald Trump. What's on the agenda for the president's second state visit to the U.K. in six years?

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KINKADE: Poland's foreign minister is calling on NATO to consider imposing a no-fly zone over parts of Ukraine, arguing that it could help protect alliance members from the ongoing Russian drone incursions. NATO is currently flying patrols over its eastern flank after up to 21

Russian drones were detected in Polish airspace last week. And days later, Romania scrambled its jets against a Russian drone in its airspace. The U.K.'s Royal Air Force has announced it will join that NATO operation posting on social media that its Typhoon fighter jets will fly defense missions over Poland.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to pressure Donald Trump for tighter sanctions on Russia when they meet Thursday. A day of pomp and circumstance will be on display the day before when the British royal family welcomes the U.S. president on Wednesday.

CNN's Kevin Liptak reports.

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KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The carriages are being prepared. The military bands are tuning up. The tiaras are being polished, all in preparation for President Trump's big state visit to the United Kingdom that begins on Tuesday. The Brits and the Prime Minister Keir Starmer really pulling all the stops out of their soft power to try and influence what they call the special relationship.

Quite a sensitive diplomatic moment. And of course, no one does pomp and circumstance quite like the Brits. The president, when he arrives at Windsor Castle on Wednesday morning, will be greeted by the prince and princess of Wales, Will and Kate. From there he'll meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla. He'll proceed in a carriage through the town of Windsor to the castle, where he'll meet with the king and queen. They'll view items from the royal collection.

It all culminates on Wednesday evening with this grand state banquet. I know this is all sort of a piece of trying to sort of bolster the U.S.-Britain relationship. It's President Trump's second state visit, and in fact, his visit back in 2019 was a highlight of his first term in office.

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He's long been fascinated by the British royals. His mother was born in Scotland. One of his earliest memories, he said, is his mother sitting wrapped in front of the television, watching the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Of course, it's not all ceremony. President Trump will meet with Keir Starmer at his country residence Chequers. On Thursday they're planning to announce a new agreement on nuclear civilian power. They're going to talk about new investments in tech. And of course, there are some differences between these two men when it comes to Ukraine. The Europeans trying to convince President Trump to apply new sanctions on Russia.

So all of that a point of discussion between the two men on Thursday. Of course, for Keir Starmer, who is somewhat beleaguered politically, it will also be a delicate balance with the president and major protests are expected in Britain while the president is there. And in fact he's spending virtually no time in the capital of London, which is where these protests will be centered.

Almost all of his time will be spent at Windsor or at the country residence up at Chequers. And so certainly, I think for President Trump, the lasting images from this trip will be of the pomp and the grandeur, all sort of epitomizing the special relationship between the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

Kevin Liptak, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Still to come, details on a possible deal to save TikTok in the U.S., and why it could lead to a meeting between the presidents of China and the U.S.

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

Israel has the full support of the U.S. in the Gaza City offensive, according to several sources. President Trump's top diplomat reportedly made that offer during a meeting with the Israeli prime minister on Monday. Marco Rubio also told Netanyahu the operation should move quickly.

The suspect in the Charlie Kirk shooting is set for his first court appearance Tuesday. One Utah official says more information on the investigation is expected to be released once the state formally files charges against the alleged suspect Tyler Robinson. He is currently being held on charges including aggravated murder and obstruction of justice.

The U.S. president has filed a lawsuit against "The New York Times." He announced on Truth Social that he is suing the paper for $15 billion in a defamation and libel lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed in Florida, and CNN has reached out to "The New York Times" for comment.

After years of questions over TikTok's fate in the U.S., China and the Trump administration say they're finally close to a deal. We're told a framework is in place and could be finalized by Friday during a conversation between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. And if all goes well, the presidents could meet in person next month. Right now, details on the deal are murky, and it's not clear which American buyer might be involved.

CNN's Clare Duffy explains what we know about the timing.

CLARE DUFFY, CNN TECH CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it has technically been nearly nine months since this law technically went into effect that requires TikTok to be sold off from its China based parent company, ByteDance, or face a U.S. ban. President Trump, of course, has repeatedly delayed enforcement of that law, most recently to later this week, September 17th is the most recent deadline. And now it appears the deal may finally be nearing the finish line.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying that this deal framework that U.S. and Chinese officials have agreed upon is fair for the Chinese and completely respectful of U.S. national security concerns, which, of course, have been at the heart of this U.S. effort to force a sale of TikTok. And as President Trump alluded to in a post on Truth Social earlier today, this is something that TikTok's 170 million American users are certainly going to be happy to hear.

However, this isn't necessarily a done deal just yet. Getting Chinese approval of the sale of TikTok, this extremely successful and popular platform, has always been a major hurdle, and you have to imagine that these two men are going to have to be aligned on broader trade agreements in order to have this deal move forward successfully.

You'll remember that back in April, the White House had nearly finalized a TikTok deal, but then it fell apart because President Trump announced new tariffs on China. So I do think this announcement is a positive sign for a deal, but we are not quite at the finish line just yet. And I have to imagine that U.S. TikTok users will not be celebrating until this deal is signed and sealed.

There are also big questions about what happens to TikTok algorithm. China has long been resistant to the idea of selling the TikTok algorithm to a new American owner. And if the, you know, the new owners of this platform buy TikTok without that algorithm, that makes it so popular, U.S. users could see the TikTok app really change their experience and the platform really change.

So lots of big questions still remaining that we'll be watching ahead of this Friday conversation between President Trump and President xi.

Back to you.

KINKADE: Our thanks to Clare Duffy.

Well, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has opened his wallet on Monday to buy an additional $1 billion worth of Tesla stock.

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The move has virtually erased all of Tesla's losses so far this year. At one point, shares were down 42 percent from the end of last year. But on Monday, they closed up nearly 4 percent.

It's being seen as a vote of confidence from Musk, who has refocused on his company since leaving the White House in his role as an advisor to President Trump.

The rise in Tesla stock on Monday alone added more than five and a half billion dollars to his net worth.

Well, still ahead, Bad Bunny's made a surprise announcement, and it's going to make many of the superstar singer's fans very unhappy. We'll have more on his world tour next.

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KINKADE: Well, Bad Bunny is giving his hometown fans one more show before he heads off on his world tour. And this time, everyone can watch.

The Puerto Rican superstar just announced a bonus concert for September 20th to close out his summer run in San Juan. The show will be streamed live on platforms like Amazon Prime, Twitch and Amazon Music.

For many U.S.-based fans, this will be the only opportunity to catch a Bad Bunny concert without booking a flight. The musician won't be coming to the mainland U.S. for his upcoming world tour, because he fears immigration police would raid his concerts.

And his residency hasn't just filled stadium seats. It's filled Puerto Rico with cultural pride and millions of tourism dollars. CNN's Isabel Rosales has more from San Juan.

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ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has closed out his sold-out 30-show residency, a run unlike anything his home island has ever seen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: Are you going to put on lipstick?

LUCIA COTO, BAD BUNNY FAN: Si.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

ROSALES (voice-over): Lucia Coto may be his oldest fan. At 101 years old she was born six decades before reggaeton even existed. She once wanted to be a nun.

Today, Lucia has proof reggaeton and Bad Bunny has no age limit.

COTO: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: I like reggaeton. It gives you joy. And then suddenly, your feet start moving.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: That's what you're going to do at the show? Show me again.

COTO: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: Everyone starts shouting, and it's contagious.

ROSALES (voice-over): It's clear this isn't just a concert. It's a cultural moment. Tourism agency Discover Puerto Rico says around 600,000 visitors have

flocked to the island in just two months. And more than $200 million pumped into the local economy.

Lucia is on her way to see her favorite artist live for the first time. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: Where are we going, Grandma?

COTO: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: To see Bad Bunny. (SINGING)

ROSALES (voice-over): For fans, it's a cultural homecoming.

ROSALES: This house, just a little bit famous.

JORGE PEREZ, JOSE MIGUEL AGRELOT COLISEUM OF PUERTO RICO: Famous. La Casita.

ROSALES: La Casita.

PEREZ: Very typical in our culture, this is where family, friends meet, have a good time. People are here for three hours, and they have a great time.

But they're out and about for days, exploring our island.

ROSALES (voice-over): So, we went to see it for ourselves. Deep in the mountains of Ciales, we joined the Cafe con Ron Tour.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Los Angeles.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Atlanta.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Atlanta.

ROSALES (voice-over): Foreigners, coming from near and far and staying to immerse themselves in the culture, music, and heritage of the island.

Here they're discovering plena, Puerto Rico's so-called sung newspaper. Born from African roots it tells the story of everyday people.

Bad Bunny giving the traditional music new life. And touring with him, Janeth Rivera's three children.

JENITH RIVERA, CAFE CON RON TOUR ORGANIZER: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: And for Benito or Bad Bunny to recognize their work, and then bring them into the residency is very gratifying and beautiful.

ROSALES (voice-over): These tourists will leave the island, but the spirit of Puerto Rico goes with them.

RIVERA: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

GRAPHIC: The residency transitions into a new chapter, but it has left us a legacy that we will continue to build on. And I think this is the start of something bigger that we will be able to do collectively as cultural ambassadors of Puerto Rico.

ROSALES (voice-over): Isabel Rosales, CNN, San Juan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, finally this hour, tired of life in a nursing home, three nuns have been on the run in Austria.

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SISTER RITA, AUSTRIAN NUN (through translator): I am filled with immense joy and gratitude in my heart that I can be back again in our familiar buildings and our so-called cloister and all around it; that I can go back to the children again, if we are allowed to.

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KINKADE: The nuns, all in their 80s, escaped so they could return to their former convent and girls' school in Salzburg, where they had spent most of their lives.

They used a locksmith to regain access, but unfortunately, the convent no longer had electricity or running water.

But former students and other supporters have stepped up to help, providing essentials and generators.

Still, local church leaders aren't happy. They say the nuns will eventually have to return to their nursing home. But the nuns, who were forced out two years ago, say they're not going back.

I love that story.

Thanks so much for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Lynda Kinkade. I'll be back with much more news at the top of the hour. Stay with us. WORLD SPORT is next.

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