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Vigil Honors National Guard Member Killed in D.C. Shooting; Ukraine Reels From Russia's Largest Strikes in a Month; Kyiv's Top Negotiator Resigns After Anti-Corruption Raid; Investigation of Cause Focuses on Construction Materials in Hong Kong Fire; Leo's First Visit to Muslim Place of Worship as Pope; Food Banks Across the U.S. Report An Increase in Need; Libya Seeing Tourism Revival After Decades of Conflict. Aired 5-6 am ET

Aired November 29, 2025 - 05:00   ET

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

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[05:00:38]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is "CNN Newsroom."

A vigil and a memorial for the National Guard members shot and killed in D.C. this week. We'll have the latest on the ongoing investigation.

Plus, new details about a deadly strike on a boat in the Caribbean. Look at what this means for the ongoing scrutiny around the Pentagon's military action.

And a winter storm could cause treacherous conditions for thousands in the Midwest. Look at how to prepare for potential impacts on post- holiday travel.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is "CNN Newsroom" with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: President Donald Trump is ramping up his anti-immigration efforts after an Afghan national was identified as the suspect in the D.C. National Guard shooting. He was granted asylum earlier this year, but now the U.S. is halting all asylum decisions. The director of U.S. citizenship and immigration services says the pause will stay in place until, quote, "we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Meanwhile, the state department announced it has stopped issuing visas for travelers with Afghan passports. All this comes after President Trump said he would permanently pause migration from all third world countries.

Family and friends are honoring Sarah Beckstrom, the National Guard member who died after that ambush style shooting near the White House. They held a vigil a short time ago in Webster Springs, West Virginia, near Beckstrom's old high school. People gathered to remember the 20- year-old U.S. Army specialist lighting candles and singing songs.

Andrew Wolfe, the other Guard member who was shot Wednesday, is still fighting for his life. Beckstrom's former boyfriend tells CNN she was a loving, caring person.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADAM CARR, SARAH BECKSTROM'S FORMER BOYFRIEND: She was ecstatic, outgoing, a little more of a homebody, though. She didn't really like messing with people, so she was happy just being with family. She loved going hunting. Oh, my gosh, last hunting season, she was ecstatic to go out, and when she got her first buck, she was beyond excited. I was getting letters about it and pictures, and she couldn't explain how happy she was. She loved fishing. It was a huge passion, especially from her grandpa.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Jeanine Pirro, the prosecuting -- the prosecutor leading the shooting investigation, says the suspect will face a murder charge. CNN's Brian Todd reports from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We have some new information about Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in the shooting here in Washington, the shooting of the two National Guards members. According to Amazon, we were looking into his work history. According to Amazon, they confirmed that a person with the same name worked as an independent contractor with the company for about a month over the summer.

He worked for Amazon Flex, the delivery service. And in addition, a neighbor of his in Bellingham, Washington told CNN that he lived in an apartment complex with his wife, his five children, and two nephews. He described him as, quote, "a simple and nice guy who attended a mosque regularly, but who had not been attending the mosque in recent days." This neighbor did not want to be identified by name to preserve his own privacy.

In addition, we have some new information regarding possible charges that the suspect could face. According to Jeanine Pirro, he now is going to face a first-degree murder charge.

Now, he had previously faced three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and one count of possession of a firearm with intent to commit violence. Now, some of those charges could still hold up, but according to Jeanine Pirro, he will face a first-degree murder charge in addition to that. And Pam Bondi, the attorney general, had previously said that they would seek the death penalty for Lakanwal if indeed one of the guard members passed away, which of course we know has occurred.

In the meantime, you know, here at the shooting scene, it's a very interesting and moving scene here. Take a look at this makeshift memorial. You know, not too long ago, there were only a couple of bunches of flowers here, but in the last several hours, a lot of people have come and placed flowers, notes, flags, wreaths here.

And I want to point out one particular memorial just above it on the ledge there, you see that vase of roses, and right below it, you see a patch, an American flag patch and two, what they call challenge coins. Those were placed here by a young Marine who came by and stood and just kind of, he placed them, he fastened them in place and just kind of took a moment to reflect. And when he was done reflecting, we came up and spoke to him briefly. He didn't want to give his name, but he said, you know, he just wanted to remember the victims. And in his words, he called it quote, "disgusting." The fact that both sides of the political aisle have tried to place blame for this incident on the other. He said, really, it's time for us all to recognize that a young service member has lost her life.

[05:05:26]

In addition, we've spoken to several business managers in this area who are still really shaken by the events here. They described locking down their doors, you know, shielding customers from the chaos, helping customers take shelter from the chaos. They have mixed feelings about the national guard presence here.

Many of them told us they felt much safer when the national guard was here, just their mere presence felt the more -- meant that they felt more safe. But at least a couple of them said they're a little ambiguous at least about the idea and the plan to send more national guardsmen into D.C. in the wake of the shooting. Many of them said they're afraid that maybe those guardsmen might be targeted as well.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: President Trump says he will pardon the former president of Honduras who's currently serving a sentence for drug trafficking. Juan Orlando Hernandez was accused of conspiring with drug cartels as they moved more than 400 tons of cocaine toward the U.S. Prosecutors say in exchange, he received millions of dollars in bribes. Here's what some Hondurans are saying about Trump's decision.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Let him go free. Yes, because he has been away from his family, from his relatives. They have not been allowed a visit to the prison where he is. His relatives have not seen him. So, he does deserve to return here to his homeland, where he is from, from Honduras.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Actually, he will know why he was tried in the United States, and it is the United States that has to make a decision in that regard.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Trump's announcement for a pardon came in the same social media post where he endorsed the country's conservative presidential candidate, Tito Asfura. In his endorsement, Trump said he's confident in Asfura's policies and what he can do for Honduras. New developments in the U.S. operation to stop drug trafficking in the

Caribbean. Sources tell CNN the U.S. carried out a second strike on an alleged drug boat after the first one didn't kill everyone on board. When the military first struck the boat on September 2nd, it initially disabled it, but sources say officials noticed survivors, so they carried out the next strike, killing everyone on board.

One of the sources said that before the operation, Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, ordered the military to ensure the strike killed everyone, but it's not clear if he knew there were survivors prior to the second strike.

People briefed on this say it could violate the laws of armed conflict, which prohibit the execution of combatants who were injured or who have surrendered. Now, this comes as military activity at a Puerto Rico naval base has intensified in recent days. The Trump administration has been stepping up deployments to the Caribbean and escalating tensions with Venezuela.

Hundreds of thousands of people across Ukraine are without power after the largest barrage of Russian strikes in more than a month. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says three people were killed and dozens wounded in overnight strikes on Kyiv and across Ukraine. He says the attacks involved hundreds of drones and nearly 40 missiles. Poland scrambled its military jets as a preventative measure. Now, that's happening as Ukraine is looking for a new top negotiator, just days ahead of key peace talks with the U.S.

Andrii Yermak, President Zelenskyy's Chief of Staff stepped down on Friday. He did that hours after investigators raided his home. Yermak led Kyiv's negotiating team at some of the recent peace talks, including in Geneva last weekend. He said he cooperated with the investigators who didn't say why his home was raided, but it happened as a major corruption scandal is rattling Ukraine's government. Zelenskyy portrayed the resignation as an opportunity to have a clean slate. Here he is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): I want no one to have any questions about Ukraine today. Therefore, today, we have the following internal decisions. First, there will be a reboot of the office of the president of Ukraine. The head of the office, Andrii Yermak, has written a letter of resignation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Larry Madowo is monitoring those developments, and he joins us now from Nairobi. So, Larry, political blow for Ukraine as the country suffers the largest drone and missile attack in a month.

LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Kim. President Zelenskyy saying this morning that Russia fired 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones at the capital, Kyiv, and that has left large parts of the capital without electricity, 500,000 customers there without electricity, another 100,000 in Kharkiv. And President Zelenskyy saying they need as many missiles as possible for its air defense systems and everything necessary to deter Russia to continue attacking them and ways to end the war.

[05:10:06]

And he described extensive damage to buildings and fires that are burning through parts of those places that were affected. We've seen video of emergency services working at some of these places. President Zelenskyy saying that the main targets were critical energy infrastructure and civilian facilities in these attacks overnight. CNN reporters on the ground reported an air raid alert warnings for almost 10 hours overnight as these attacks happened.

And this was just hours after President Vladimir Putin met with the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to shore up his energy supplies. And that came as a criticism from the Ukrainians who said whenever Viktor Orban visits, Russia tends to do this as well. That happening as a very powerful person in Zelenskyy's office, his chief of staff was forced to resign after this corruption scandal swirling through the country.

He was seen as a shadow prime minister. And after the raids by anti- corruption officials at his home, he had to resign. Listen to one Ukrainian reacting to it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR SHCHUR, KYIV, UKRAINE RESIDENT: I am concerned about the constant changes at the top of our country, especially in such difficult times. If this leads to some major changes and helps streamline the leadership of our state in crisis situations, then of course that is not a bad thing. It is sad that this is happening amid all these corruption scandals.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MADOWO: Ukraine has to find a new top negotiator in these talks to try and end the war. And they have to do that quickly and find somebody skilled enough to put a strong foot forward for Ukraine as they try and push back on this U.S. proposed deal that many people criticize as giving Russia almost everything it wants. And so, there are other people within the administration of President Zelenskyy who can do that. But Andrii Yermak has been beside him from the beginning of his administration. He's been very powerful. That's why he was seen as a shadow prime minister in this administration.

Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Can't underscore how important he was. Larry Madowo, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

I want to head over to Kyiv, where we're joined by Oleksandr Merezhko. He's the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Ukraine's Parliament. Thank you so much for joining us on this.

Just to start with that resignation, want to get your reaction. I mean, was that the right decision?

OLEKSANDR MEREZHKO, CHAIR OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT: Thank you for having me. Of course, it was the right decision. It was expected decision for the president. And he himself in his address has explained the reason for that. President wants to dispel any doubts, the slightest shadow of any doubts with regard to Ukraine and to regain trust of people in Ukraine amidst this corruption scandal and also to improve sort of to enhance confidence of our Western partners in terms of negotiations.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah, let me ask you about those negotiations. I mean, given how central he was to everything from the peace talks in Geneva to managing President Zelenskyy's entire operation for years, I mean, how does Ukraine avoid this looking like chaos to Washington at exactly the wrong moment where they're trying to conduct these negotiations?

MEREZHKO: Yes, of course. Mr. Yermak, he was the right hand of President Zelenskyy. But in the process of talks also with the United States, with our partners, yes, he was one of the key figures.

But his dismissal doesn't change the situation. And it will not have any negative impact upon the process of negotiations. On the contrary, our Western allies, Western partners will have more confidence in our negotiation team.

After all, the president himself is under constitution. He is a top diplomat and he is top decision maker when it comes to any kind of negotiations and representing Ukraine on the global stage. So, it will not have negative impact. And besides negotiation process, negotiation team is a kind of diplomatic, complicated diplomatic mechanism. It includes many people who will -- who can take over the process.

BRUNHUBER: OK, well, let me ask you, then, who do you think will take over? And then also sort of as part of that, you know, President Zelenskyy said that Rustem Umerov will be part of the new negotiating team. But Umerov himself has been questioned by investigators in the same corruption case.

MEREZHKO: President Zelenskyy, in his address, he mentioned two people. One of them is a representative of the military general staff. And another one is the Secretary of the National Security Council, Mr. Umerov. So, he mentioned two persons.

But I don't rule out that situation can change and there can be some -- somebody maybe from this team of negotiators or someone from outside. So, right now, President, he is in the process of rebooting his office and there might be some changes in the team of negotiators.

[05:15:13]

BRUNHUBER: Now, the Kremlin is clearly enjoying all of this chaos, Dmitry Peskov said today or yesterday, I guess, that the scandal is growing and the consequences will be negative for Ukraine. I mean, how do you prevent Moscow from using this moment to, you know, effectively push Zelenskyy out altogether? MEREZHKO: Well, it's no surprise that Kremlin will use it, but we cannot imagine something like that happening in Russia itself in the totalitarian state where corruption is rampant, corruption is endemic, but everything is covered by the president. In Ukraine, we're a democratic rule of law state and that's why no one is above the law. That's why we have independent anti-corruption agencies which can bring to justice any person, including minister, chief of staff, member of parliament.

So, we have democracy in this regard and truly rule of law state. You cannot imagine this happening, for example, in Russia.

BRUNHUBER: Well, before we go, I want to ask you this. You talk about this sort of adding more confidence, I guess, to, you know, people should have more confidence in Ukraine, seeing that, I guess, the system works. But, I mean, countries, you know, the U.S., for instance, has poured billions of dollars into Ukraine.

Now, they're seeing headlines about a hundred million dollars allegedly stolen from the energy sector while Ukrainians are suffering blackouts. I mean, what would you say directly to those taxpayers who are wondering whether their money is being wasted?

MEREZHKO: Well, first of all, I understand from these materials of investigation that it's not about military or financial aid of our Western allies, European or American aid. This scheme was about kickbacks. It was about Ukrainian companies.

So, in Ukraine, we understand the importance not to have absolutely no doubts with regard to the appropriate use of a Western military aid, including American aid. So, it's a sacred thing for us. And at the same time, you know, we have two fronts according to -- to fight -- according to opinion polls in Ukraine. The first, the most important, is struggle for our independence against Russian aggression. But the second one, internal, is a struggle against corruption.

And we have sort of successes, considerable successes in this struggle, and we have zero tolerance to any kinds of corruption. And this scandal, paradoxically, of course, but it's a proof of victories on this struggle against corruption in the country.

BRUNHUBER: Listen, I appreciate you answering these questions for us. Oleksandr Merezhko, thank you so much for being here with us.

MEREZHKO: Thank you.

BRUNHUBER: Well, if you're traveling this weekend in the U.S., you might want to plan for some delays. We're tracking a major winter storm system as it makes its way across the U.S., bringing rain, snow, and sharply dropping temperatures. More than 20 million people are currently under winter storm warnings, and hazardous conditions could impact the post-Thanksgiving travel rush.

CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Tens of millions of people are in the path for this next system, and the target point is really going to be across areas of the Midwest for some of the bigger impacts, especially areas of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, even stretching down into Missouri.

Now, when we start off Saturday morning, here you can see around 9, 10 a.m., the heaviest snow is over many of those same states. Down to the south, where we've got slightly warmer air, you're going to be looking at the potential for strong to even severe thunderstorms.

By late Saturday, now you're talking about the focus for all of that snow to be places like Chicago, Detroit, even into Cleveland. And then by early Sunday, we start to see the bulk of the winter weather begin to spread into areas of the Northeast and even into the Mid-Atlantic, causing potential travel problems there as we finish out the latter half of the weekend.

Winds are also going to be gusting pretty high, 30, 40, even 50 miles per hour in some spots. This is going to take all of that snow that fell and blow it all over the place, unfortunately reducing visibility, making it even more difficult out there on many of the roads.

Overall, the target point for the heaviest snow is going to be this pink area you see here, where we could pick up as much as eight to 12 inches of snow before this system moves out.

Keep in mind, though, that many of these same areas had snow just earlier this week, so this is going to be on top of what they've already had. On the southern side, where we've got the warmer temperatures, this is actually going to turn into the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms, especially for states like Texas and Louisiana. Cities like Houston and Shreveport could be looking at strong damaging wind gusts, some large hail, and we also can't rule out the potential for an isolated tornado.

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[05:20:08]

BRUNHUBER: All right, still ahead here on "CNN Newsroom," Israel is investigating after forces in the West Bank killed two men who've appeared to have surrendered. We'll have the outrage from their family ahead.

Plus, further arrests in connection with the deadly apartment fire in Hong Kong. We'll have those stories and more coming up. Please stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: Israeli authorities say they're reviewing an incident in which soldiers shot and killed two men who appeared to be surrendering. The shooting took place during a wide scale counter terrorism operation in the occupied West Bank. Video of the incident shared on social media showed two men coming out of a building with their hands raised in apparent surrender. They were later seen on the floor before multiple rounds of gunfire were heard. The Israeli defense forces say the men were wanted for alleged terror activities. The Palestinian authority have called the shootings a flagrant violation of all international laws.

Here's what family members had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAHMOUD ASSASA, BROTHER OF YOUSEF ASSASA (through translator): It's a brutal and hideous incident. Any person, any free person who sees the videos will be affected by the incident that was shot. The act was so hideous, a person who puts his hands up and surrenders can be arrested. But eliminating them in this brutal way is very wrong.

[05:25:10]

RULA ABDALLAH, WIFE OF MUNTASER ABDALLAH (through translator): It's a crime because he surrendered. Why did they kill him? They told them to leave the storage and then asked them to go in again. Why did they kill them? There was no shooting and no fire exchange. The people said that I was sure that my husband and his friend didn't have any weapons with them. So, you can't say that there was a fire exchange.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: The flames are extinguished in the deadly Hong Kong residential fire that claimed the lives of at least 128 people. The focus now turns to the search for the 150 who remain missing and answers about the causes of the tragedy. CNN's Hanako Montgomery reports from Hong Kong.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm just at the base of this apartment complex where a deadly fire tore through seven buildings behind me. You can see some of these buildings are still blackened and charred clearly showing just how powerful and deadly this fire was.

Now at the base of this complex there's a vigil happening here and with a constant stream of people laying down flowers, laying down handwritten notes and letters to mourn the over a hundred people who were lost in this fire.

And clearly people here are very visually disturbed and distressed by these events. Some people are crying and also praying for those victims. And I just want to say this fire has affected -- I mean people from all different parts of society including the frontline responders who have seen some of the worst of this fire.

Listen to this.

LEO, NEW TERRITORIES EAST REGIONAL COMMANDER, HONG KONG (through translator): This community feels like our home. When you see your own home go up in flames it is truly overwhelming. MONTGOMERY: Now police say the exact cause of this fire is still not determined and an investigation can take up to four weeks. But they do say that some of the materials that were used to renovate these buildings behind me might have contributed to this fire spreading very, very quickly.

Now, there are also questions about alarm bells in the building whether or not they went off in time to warn residents to evacuate. Some of the survivors we spoke to said that they didn't hear any alarm bells go off when they were evacuating and only knew there was a fire when they looked out the window and saw flames engulfing their buildings.

So again in Hong Kong a very, very somber day as people are mourning the dozens and dozens of lives lost and a death toll that is likely very, very much likely to go up even higher.

Hanako Montgomery CNN Tai Po, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Thousands of Airbus passenger planes have been essentially grounded for an urgent software update. Airbus says pilots could lose control of the A320 series of planes during intense solar storms. Now, this warning comes after an October JetBlue flight suddenly plunged sending 15 people to the hospital. Most of the planes can be repaired in about two hours. Airlines including American Airlines, Delta and JetBlue have already started the fix.

Shock and grief in West Virginia after the shooting of two of their National Guard troops in D.C. had how their loved ones and communities are coping in the aftermath.

Plus, Pope Leo is spreading his message of peace in the Middle East as he tours a mosque and holds meetings with local religious leaders. We'll have a live report from Istanbul after the break. Please stay with us.

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[05:31:45]

BRUNHUBER: Welcome back. I'm Kim Brunhuber. Let's check some of today's top stories.

More arrests in the follow-up to the deadly residential fire in Hong Kong. At least 128 people have died and another 150 are still unaccounted for. Investigators are looking into possible corruption and use of unsafe building materials.

The U.S. is pausing all asylum decisions after an Afghan national was identified as the suspect in the D.C. National Guard shooting. He was granted asylum earlier this year. The director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says the pause will stay in place until, quote, "we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible." A gunman accused of killing a National Guard member and critically

wounding another will face a murder charge. That's according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. The suspect worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in 2021.

Communities in West Virginia are reeling after that ambush attack on two of their National Guard members. Now, troops and loved ones are sharing who these young people are and how their communities are coping in the aftermath of the tragedy. CNN's Gabe Cohen has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GABE COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What's it like being back here?

CARR: I didn't come here much without her, so I was always here with her, so it's just that missing piece.

COHEN: This is a place that Sarah Beckstrom loved. Salmon Run, near Summersville, West Virginia, where she lived. She'd come here to swim and to fish. It was her happy place.

COHEN (voice-over): Adam Carr tells me he dated Sarah Beckstrom for nearly six years. They split just a month ago.

CARR: I kind of just can't wrap my head around it at all, seeing her picture everywhere. Just hearing the whole, that she's gone, kind of unbelievable.

COHEN (voice-over): The 20-year-old U.S. Army Specialist, one of two National Guard members, ambushed Wednesday. She joined the Guard back in 2023 and had been deployed in D.C. since August.

DONALD TRUMP (R), U.S. PRESIDENT: Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, outstanding in every way.

COHEN (voice-over): Her father writing on Facebook, "My baby girl has passed to glory. This has been a horrible tragedy."

COHEN: Tell me about her.

CARR: She was super kind-hearted, super sweet. One of the best people around that you could meet. She'd do anything for you and didn't even have to know you.

COHEN (voice-over): Carr says Beckstrom eventually wanted to work for the FBI.

COHEN (on camera): How did she feel about being deployed to D.C.?

CARR: Hated it. Absolutely hated it. She was crying before she left. She dreaded it. She did not want to go. The more she was there, the more she warmed up to it. And she actually volunteered for a longer time. She definitely knows she was making a difference for the right cause. I mean, she's one of the biggest-hearted people out there, and I'm glad most of our time was together.

COHEN: Beckstrom grew up in Webster Springs, West Virginia, and worked here at the custard stand in high school.

ALISSA CLAYTON, WEBSTER SPRINGS RESIDENT: I think she'll be remembered as a hero.

COHEN: Alissa Clayton's parents own this restaurant.

CLAYTON: It's just hard because it's hard to lose somebody from here that wanted to leave this community and be successful and do something for our country and for our community.

COHEN (voice-over): This small town held a vigil Thursday night. Across the state, another community is reeling, as 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe remains in the hospital. His father telling me Thursday, "Just pray for my son. He's a fighter."

[05:35:09]

A guardsman since 2019, Wolfe is part of the 167th Airlift Wing near his hometown of Martinsburg, West Virginia.

MICHAEL LANGONE, SGT. ANDREW WOLFE'S NEIGHBOR: Just a really good guy. We always looked out for each other. Best neighbor you could ask for, really. I just hope that the right thing happens for him and he comes back.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: God bless his family and all of them. So, I hope everything turns out good.

COHEN: And this weekend, there are more vigils planned here in Webster Springs for Sarah Beckstrom. And I can tell you, having spent so much time in these communities across West Virginia over the past few days, there are still so many people dealing with shock and grief, trying to process this tragedy.

Gabe Cohen, CNN, Webster Springs, West Virginia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Pope Leo XIV is on day three of his trip to the Middle East. The pope toured Istanbul's historic Blue Mosque in his first visit as pontiff to a Muslim place of worship. In the coming hours, he's expected to preside over a mass at an Istanbul arena.

On Friday, he celebrated the 1700th anniversary of a historic church council. The pope also condemned the misuse of religion to justify war, violence, or fanaticism. He urged Catholics to mobilize their faith and unify others.

CNN's Salma Abdelaziz has been covering the pope's trip and joins us live now from Istanbul. Salma, a powerful message there as well as the symbolism in this trip. Take us through the pope's visit.

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN REPORTER: Yes, it's been a visit that's had historical significance, deep meaning, and an opportunity for Pope Leo, who's only six months into his papacy, to present himself on the world stage and how he envisions his papacy. This morning, he was at the Blue Mosque. This is his first visit to a Muslim place of worship since he was elected to the papacy.

As soon as he walked in, he did the traditional and respectful thing, which was taking off his shoes to enter the mosque. He walked around the mosque complex, and there was an expectation, Kim, that he would pray. And that's exactly what the muezzin, the leader of the mosque, said.

He said he offered Pope Leo the right to pray at the mosque, but Pope Leo ultimately chose not to. Why is this important? Well, it's a departure from what his predecessor, Pope Francis, did when he visited the Blue Mosque. He did indeed pray.

Now, the Vatican later released a statement explaining Pope Leo's visit. It said in the statement, "The pope visited the mosque in silence in a spirit of reflection and listening, with profound respect for the place and the faith of those gathered there in prayer."

So, we're getting a sense of his way of doing things, Pope Leo's way of doing things. We're also getting a sense of his mission, which is interfaith dialogue. And that is exactly why he was at the Blue Mosque, in an attempt to outreach to the Muslim community. It is significant that his first overseas trip is to two Muslim-majority nations.

One, of course, is Turkey. The next will be Lebanon. And he's not just pushing for interfaith dialogue, for a connection between communities of different backgrounds and various histories. He is also pushing a political message, if you will, and that is one of peace and diplomacy. Dialogue to resolve conflict. He also did one thing that is also another departure from his predecessors. He did not visit the Hagia Sophia, which is just a short distance from the Blue Mosque, quite literally across from it.

Now, the Hagia Sophia is a Byzantine structure. It had been used as a mosque for 500 years, but it holds, of course, deep meaning to Catholics and Christians as well. It was converted to a museum in 2020. It had been in the past visited by Pope Francis. Pope Leo chose not to visit the Hagia Sophia.

So, again, we're just getting a sense of who he is as a pope as he spreads this message of peace, harmony, and unity by showing and leading with example today.

BRUNHUBER: Interesting, and looking forward to hearing from you tomorrow when the pope heads to Lebanon.

Salma Abdelaziz in Istanbul, thank you so much.

All right, still to come, food banks across the U.S. are reporting a rise in the demand for extra help. We'll speak to the executive director of one program in Philadelphia about what his organization is doing to meet the need.

Please stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [05:42:37]

BRUNHUBER: Food banks across the United States are busy this holiday season with some reporting record demand. Experts say rising prices, stagnant wages, and the pause in SNAP benefits during the government shutdown are pushing more families to seek help.

In Los Angeles, one food bank expanded its distribution by 24 percent this past Thanksgiving holiday compared to last year. And in Philadelphia, the Share Food Program reported a 12-fold increase in new people looking for food support.

George Matysik is the Executive Director of the Share Food Program, and he joins us now from Philadelphia. Thank you so much for being here with us early this morning.

So, I was reading some of your partner pantries saw 12 times the number of new signups in just a couple of weeks. I mean, have you ever seen anything like this before?

GEORGE MATYSIK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SHARE FOOD PROGRAM: Nothing like this ever before. You know, obviously, during the pandemic, we saw a huge overnight increase in need hitting food banks like us at Share Food Program. The difference was this time that we didn't have nearly the type of resources that we had coming in during the pandemic when we had all of those federal resources that were made available to organizations like ours.

This time around, it was very different. The warehouse behind me here was nearly empty, and we had to go out to source a lot of product that we didn't have access to because of what was happening with the federal shutdown.

BRUNHUBER: Interesting. So, before I get to sort of matters of how you fill those holes, I just want to know who exactly are the ones who are showing up. What are they telling you about why they came?

MATYSIK: It is a wide range. So, we were in the Philadelphia region, but we go out into the suburbs and even to some rural areas as well. And I have to tell you we have seen this need grow throughout all the communities that we serve.

So, it is not just an urban issue or suburban issue or rural issue. It's all across our region and frankly, all across our country. So, that need is just continuing to rise and folks are coming to us and they just need a little bit of extra help. And they're not getting that from the federal government over the course of the last year. So, they're coming to organizations like us that Share Food Program.

BRUNHUBER: Now, I mean, the scale of this, you said before, I think that the SNAP alone puts out nine times more food than all the food banks in the country combined. So, when something like that gets, you know, disrupted, I mean, how are you trying to make up for a hole that big?

[05:45:00] MATYSIK: That's right. We couldn't even begin to -- to fill in the hole that is left by the SNAP program. And we remain incredibly concerned about this because even though we saw it restored with the end of the federal shutdown, Secretary Rollins indicated two weeks ago that she's still looking to deconstruct that program as we know it. So, for organizations like us, there is more of a weight on our shoulders than any time in the history of our organization.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah. And then there were all those cuts to SNAP benefits outside of what happened with the government shutdown.

Now, the need for your emergency services had already doubled and then some over the last three years. That was before this latest crisis hit. So, what does that tell you about sort of where things are heading now into the new year?

MATYSIK: Well, it's so interesting. I mentioned the pandemic earlier and we did see during that era in 2020 and 2021, we actually saw food insecurity and poverty decrease. You had bipartisan support around these types of programs that we actually saw hunger reducing over 2020 and 2021. It was in 2022, as you mentioned, that's when we started to see the numbers uptick to where we saw that more than doubling of the need that was coming to the amount of folks that were coming to our organization.

And so, looking forward at the year ahead, especially given the statements made by Secretary Rollins of the USDA, we've remained concerned that this need is only going to continue to rise, especially when you account for the cost of food, which continues to rise.

BRUNHUBER: Yeah. So, it sounds as though government support would help, but that may not be forthcoming under the Trump administration, as you sort of allude to there. So, for folks who are watching at home who want to help their neighbors, especially right now during the holidays, what's the single most useful thing they can do?

MATYSIK: You know, it is donating your time, donating food or donating money to food banks and organizations like the Share Food Program. It allows us to continue doing this work at such a critical time as the -- as the federal government has in many ways abandoned the working class. It is up to us as community to step forward and support our neighbors.

BRUNHUBER: Appreciate the work you and all those who run services like yours do, so vital for so many Americans across the country.

George Matysik, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

MATYSIK: Thank you. I really appreciate it.

BRUNHUBER: All right. We'll be right back here on "CNN Newsroom" with more. Please stay with us.

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[05:51:26] BRUNHUBER: SpaceX has successfully launched its latest rideshare mission after more than a week's delay. The Transporter 15 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday. About 140 commercial and Earth observation satellites were on board. SpaceX's rideshare program offers smaller companies and research groups a lower-cost ride into orbit.

It might surprise you to know that Libya is becoming a travel destination for thrill-seekers and adventurers. CNN's Isobel Yeung took to the sky to find out more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ISOBEL YEUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We are flying over Benghazi, Libya, right now, which, just a few years ago, was the scene of some very heavy fighting. But right now, we're up in the skies with a bunch of skydivers who've come in from all over the world. Pretty insane people to jump out of a military helicopter, just for fun.

YEUNG (voice-over): Here in Libya, things have changed. Just a decade ago, ISIS was a powerful force. Fierce battles between jihadi fighters and the Libyan National Army raged across the territory. Benghazi itself was already a buzzword in American politics.

TRUMP: Take a look at Benghazi.

HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: Benghazi.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Benghazi.

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): Benghazi.

REP. JIM JORDON (R-OH): Benghazi.

JOHN MCCAIN, FORMER ARIZONA SENATOR: Benghazi.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Welcome back. We're following breaking news this morning.

YEUNG (voice-over): In 2012, militants allied with al-Qaeda killed the U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens, sparking a partisan firestorm in Washington.

The politics may have moved on, but the scars of war are everywhere. Libyans are keen for a rebrand, and thrill-seekers from around the world are all too happy to help out.

(MUSIC)

YEUNG: How was it?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was amazing.

YEUNG: How do you feel?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I felt like I just had sex. YEUNG (voice-over): People from 37 countries have come to inaugurate the skydiving center.

YEUNG: How are you feeling?

BRADEN ROSEBOROUGH, SKYDIVER: I'm feeling great.

YEUNG: Yes?

ROSEBOROUGH: I'm really excited. It's going to be incredible, I think. Yes.

YEUNG: Were you nervous about coming to Libya at all?

ROSEBOROUGH: A little bit, yes.

YEUNG: What do you think of when you think of Libya?

ROSEBOROUGH: All that I hear as an American is, like, Benghazi and Hillary's e-mails. As I started to kind of research the country, you know, it has an amazing history. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up to explore a new place.

YEUNG: I mean, you're clearly an adrenaline junkie.

ROSEBOROUGH: Sure.

YEUNG: Is part of the appeal coming to a place that has been through a lot that, you know, has seen a lot of adrenaline itself?

ROSEBOROUGH: I didn't think about it that way, but it was more of a unique experience for me that I was excited about.

YEUNG (voice-over): From fighting off ISIS to facilitating adrenaline junkies, the Libyan National Army are helping run things here, looking to Dubai for inspiration and expertise.

[05:55:00]

COL. MOHAMMED EBREYK, LIBYAN NATIONAL ARMY (through translation): Our goal is to send a clear message to the world, that Libya is ready to be a pioneer in tourism.

YEUNG: I mean, it's just a few years ago that there was war here. Were you fighting?

EBREYK (through translation): We fought not only in this area, we took part in operations across multiple regions of Libya.

YEUNG: Is this what you were fighting for?

EBREYK (through translation): This is a great joy for us. For every Libyan and Arab citizen. The entire team and all the staff here are delighted.

YEUNG: Do you have a message for Americans or people outside of here who might be considering a trip to Libya?

EBREYK: Welcome in Libya, land of peace.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Well, it didn't affect the playoff picture, but it was still must-see TV in the NBA Cup as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Now, the game was close in the fourth quarters. Lakers came out on top, 129-119. The Lakers had already clinched the group and the Mavs were already eliminated. It was Anthony Davis' first time playing in L.A. since being traded.

And the Milwaukee Bucks fell to the New York Knicks on Friday, 118- 109. Knicks' Jalen Brunson scored 37 points, with Miles McBride adding another 19 in the fourth quarter. Now, the Knicks advance to the knockout round of the NBA Cup.

It was a stunning defeat for the reigning Super Bowl champs as the Chicago Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. Finals were 24- 15. Bears have been having a strong run lately, winning nine out of ten games. This is the second straight loss for the reigning Super Bowl champs. The lead lost last week on the road to their divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.

All right, that wraps this hour of "CNN Newsroom." I'm Kim Brunhuber. For our viewers in North America, "CNN This Morning" is next. For the rest of the world, it's "African Voices Changemakers."

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