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U.S. Targets Islamic Group in Nigeria; Aid Groups Can't Penetrate Gaza; Song Sung Blue Movie Now Showing. Aired 3-3:30a ET

Aired December 26, 2025 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:00]

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KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to all of you watching us around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

President Trump says he ordered a deadly U.S. military strike on ISIS terrorists in Nigeria. We'll look at why he did it and the reaction from around the region.

A top Israeli official says Israel will never leave Gaza. We'll hear from an aide worker in Gaza about conditions there along with what's needed most. Plus, this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: And I heard you two felt like a married couple.

HUGH JACKMAN, ACTOR: Yes. Yes.

KINKADE: How did you build that chemistry?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: CNN's Lynda Kinkade catches up with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, the stars of Song Sung Blue.

UNKNOWN: From Atlanta. is CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: U.S. President Donald Trump is sending what he calls a powerful message to members of the Islamic State in Nigeria. U.S. Africa command says a military strike has killed multiple terrorists in coordination with Nigerian authorities. A CNN military analyst says this is a Tomahawk missile launched from a U.S. destroyer.

President Trump says it struck terrorist scum, in his words, in a northwestern Nigerian state on the border with Niger. He went on to say, quote, "I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughter of Christians, there would be hell to pay and tonight there was."

Well joining me now for more on this from Dakar, Senegal is African security analyst Oluwole Ojewole. Thank you so much for being here with us. Really appreciate it.

So, did this strike come out of the blue for you or were you expecting some action based on President Trump's earlier threats?

OLUWOLE OJEWOLE, AFRICAN SECURITY ANALYST: Thank you so much for having me.

I think on the basis of the recent interaction with the United States government, in which the national security advisor of Nigeria has visited the United States, and even members of Congress have also visited Nigeria, we do expect that at some point this security cooperation is going to manifest in the way it has manifested in the last couple of hours, even though I think it came as a surprise to many in the country.

BRUNHUBER: When you heard about a U.S. strike targeting ISIS in that particular region, I mean, does that match what you've seen on the ground in terms of who's actually operating there?

OJEWOLE: I think it's a catch phrase for all. The region where the strike has actually taken place is dominated by criminal bandits who has been tormenting rural villages and towns with some form of ISIL presence in that region, but not really specifically in Sokoto where the strike by the U.S. government has taken place.

But we need to broaden this conversation as it is in the context of the broader insecurity in the country. And it's to say that beyond the technical rhetoric, the people want security and it doesn't matter whether it is ISIS franchise or bandits that are operating in the region. They look forward to any form of government intervention, rooted in security cooperation like these to root out those form of security, regardless of the element that are perpetrating the violence in the region.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, about those elements, I mean, you've written that what the government calls banditry in northwest Nigeria is really sort of terrorism thinly disguised. I mean, can you help our viewers understand the difference between these so-called bandit groups and actual ISIS-affiliated fighters? I mean, are they the same people? Is there much overlap between them?

OJEWOLE: Yes, there's a form of convergence. But what we've seen over the years is the fact that the recession of the states in terms of a security presence in the region has created on government spaces that allow all forms of criminal elements converging from the central Sahara and percolating into Nigeria to actually take root in the region.

The bandits essentially are economic criminals who kidnap people for ransom, taxing villages and collects proceed from their farm produce. And basically, an extortionist criminal economy, that is what they run.

[03:05:03]

But the other terrorist group, the Jihadist movement in the region are strictly ideologically driven and connected to some Jihadist network globally. But, you know, like I mentioned, the geography of the region, the forest, the recession of the states, limited state presence in the region has created a room for convergence of the different criminal elements in which they are also engaging in some form of arms trafficking and hating each other in terms of logistics.

BRUNHUBER: It makes for a very complex mess from a security point of view. President Trump framed this strike as protecting Christians, but we saw just yesterday there was a bombing at a mosque that killed worshippers on Christmas morning. I mean, you've documented how violence in the Northwest affects everyone. Explain that for us.

OJEWOLE: Yes, this is where these really exert some serious domestic concern, raises some serious domestic concern, because President Trump's binary framing of the issue as attacks targeted Christian does not resonate with the reality on the ground, particularly the northwest region where this particular strike took place is a region dominated by more than 90 percent of Muslims in the country.

And there's a way in which this is viewed in domestic environment as maybe it's a targeted strike that is trying to maybe attack Muslims in the north. That is the domestic framing that a lot of people have given to this. And in a country that is largely divided not only politically but in terms of religion, these are serious connotation in terms of how people view this.

And it goes in a long way to actually open the fort lines of division that already exists in the country. And I think President Trump's framing of the issue, like the safe for the statement from the African command and the Department of War frames it as something that makes Nigeria to look like a passive participant in the security provisioning in that region because it precludes any form of security cooperation that Nigeria also provided to probably get these strikes that has taken place.

And I think that is what the local government will be dealing with this morning now in the country in terms of probably issuing counter press statements is luring them into what I would describe as information warfare really.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. And we'll see whether that perception changes or is enforced if the U.S. conducts more strikes as the defense as secretary suggested might happen. Listen, really appreciate getting your take on this. Oluwale Ojewale in Dakar, Senegal. Thank you so much for speaking with us.

OJEWOLE: Thank you so much for having me.

BRUNHUBER: Turkish police have launched major anti-terror raids across the country detaining at least 115 suspected members of ISIS. Authorities say they were plotting attacks linked to Christmas and New Year celebrations and were targeting non-Muslims.

Istanbul prosecutors say operations to apprehend another 22 suspects are ongoing. Police say so far, they've seized guns, ammunition, and organizational documents. Now Turkey regularly ramps up counter terrorism operations around the year's end, particularly since ISIS attacked on an assembled nightclub killed dozens of people during New Year's celebrations in 2017.

Israel's defense minister says his country will never withdraw from Gaza. Israel Katz is calling for the creation of a significant security zone in the enclave along with militarized outposts in northern areas. On Thursday, the defense minister reiterated his support for establishing Israeli settlements in Gaza. Katz's plan would violate the terms of the U.S. brokerage ceasefire agreement reached in October between Israel and Hamas. The agreement states that Israeli forces would eventually fully withdraw from Gaza.

Meanwhile, humanitarian groups say not enough aid is being allowed into Gaza as required by the ceasefire agreement. The non-profit Refugees International says commercial supplies quote, "are often prioritized ahead of aid deliveries yet do not address humanitarian needs." Israel disputes the claim.

The U.N. coordination office, the OCHA says significant restrictions and impediments continue to hamper relief efforts. Last hour I spoke with Gaza humanitarian coordinator Eyad Amawi and he described the reality of life in Gaza right now. Here he is.

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EYAD AMAWI, HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR: Look, we floated six times here from the beginning of limitations, this fire from the rain waters. Under this complete destruction of our infrastructure and complete destroy of everything's heat, we cannot continue our life with this bad conditions.

More than 28,000 since was flooded and more than 14 people was died in bad conditions and we expected within 48 hours, next 48 hours the bad news storm will hit us again. So urgently we need humanitarian interventions without Israeli restrictions over the trucks and let the mobile homes entering with more than thousands. Our needs here is immense and no one can imagine the bad situation. The bad situation is more aggressive than the bombardment itself.

And also, the explosions and robotic explosions continuing. We're hearing at every night, especially in the east of the Gaza Strip. More than 60 percent of Gaza is under the military Israeli control. So there is no ability to distribute pebbles and to prevent crowded areas and prevent spreading the infectious diseases here, especially within the winter conditions.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, and those conditions have been terrible for so many people living in tents. And we've unfortunately seen children, babies dying of hypothermia which should never happen and on the malnutrition, I mean you've described how you and your wife were skipping meals entirely so your kids could eat surviving mostly on lentils and rice.

You mentioned back then that, you know, meat, eggs, chicken, other nutritious foods weren't being allowed in. Are those protein sources getting through now or is it still sort of facing the same restrictions as before?

AMAWI: Yes, when we compare the current situation with the before, it's better slightly more than, but you know, with the inability and the economical exhaustion from our families here, they cannot meet their needs, basic needs daily. So, when we talk about losing for more than half million people their jobs, there is no economic ability to secure their food. So, there is no food security by daily needs.

So, when we talk about entering the aid trucks and distributing foods with no and also instability in prices and also running off black markets of our peoples, the sufferings is still here and going over the ground with this likely some future situation after they halt a huge bombardment. But you know, the famine and is still ongoing, especially for people with the lowest level of the economically hardship field.

BRUNHUBER: Before we go, want to ask you, sort of on the big picture, I mean, your life, like so many in Gaza, has gone from stability and safety, having electricity, food, water, everything, to now struggling to find all of these basics. When you hear Israel's defense minister saying that they won't leave Gaza, Israel won't leave Gaza, and then on the other hand, you have the Pope wishing conditions be better in Gaza, you have world leaders talking about recovery, and reconstruction.

I mean, do you believe that is actually coming? Do you feel hope at this hour?

AMAWI: We hope that the peace plan for Mr. President Trump to be implemented completely and to force Israel to withdraw completely from Gaza. We hope that. But from my witness testimonies over the ground, they still controlling more than 60 percent of our Gaza development aid stocks. So, when we hear they complete this destroying the remaining infrastructure and remaining homes in that region and their talks about controlling Gaza forever, it will devastate us and will cause us to be lost, a final hope.

So, we hope from the international community and Mr. President Trump again to complete, implement the ceasefire and peace plan without any discriminations and reconstruct our homeland without indiscrimination. Work out the reconstruction plan that's unlogic by rebuilding just Raffa. We hope to rebuild all Gaza systematically with all of the system and handle the new (inaudible) owners, not the others to prevent a civil war and to prevent a social conflict here.

BRUNHUBER: We wish you and your family all the best. Really appreciate you speaking with us. Eyad Amawi, thank you so much.

AMAWI: Thank you so much again.

[03:15:01]

BRUNHUBER: Well, we could see another meeting between the U.S. and Ukrainian presidents soon. Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media a short time ago that he and Donald Trump agreeto meet in the near future. He added that quote, "Allah can be decided before the New Year."

Now word yet from the White House. Now earlier Zelenskyy praised what he called very good conversations with U.S. negotiators on Christmas Day. Zelenskyy said this week that he floated the idea of a de facto demilitarized zone in eastern Ukraine. Russia says it's analyzing the proposal. Meanwhile, Russia says it's making slow but steady progress in its talks with the U.S.

A movie about the music of Neil Diamond. Just ahead, the new film with Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman is based on a real-life couple who paid tribute to the American singing superstar. We'll that story coming up. Stay with us.

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BRUNHUBER: Gold is on track to have its best market year since the late 1970s. U.S. gold futures have skyrocketed more than 70 percent in 2025. On Monday, they climbed above a record high of over $4,500 per troy ounce. After starting the year around $2,500 per troy ounce, some analysts expect prices to keep rising in 2026. Investors expect gold to maintain its value through crisis, inflation and currency instability.

[03:20:09]

U.S. President Donald Trump shook up global trade this year from Liberation Day to new deals.

CNN's Anna Cooban takes a look at 2025's biggest moments in trade.

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ANNA COOBAN, CNN BUSINESS & ECONOMICS REPORTER: twenty-twenty-five was a pretty eventful year in global trade. When President Trump took office again in January, countries braced themselves for new tariffs. When Trump's so-called Liberation Day came in April --

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We came after with a little smaller charge.

COOBAN: -- the hit was even harder than anticipated. Tariff rates were higher than expected. All countries were hit with duties of at least 10 percent, with some like Brazil hit with tariffs much, much higher.

TRUMP: They charge us, we charge them, we charge them less. So how can anybody be upset?

COOBAN: Tax experts say that high tariffs tend to lead to higher prices for consumers and markets reacted to Trump's new duties but when the bond market began to sell off the president then seemed to listen.

TRUMP: I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line, they were getting yippy, you know. They were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid.

I did a 90-day pause for the people that didn't retaliate because I told them if you retaliate, we're going to double it and that's what I did with China because they did retaliate. So, we'll see how it all works out.

COOBAN: With the U.S. and China each raising tariffs on the other and then eventually lowering them, the markets rebounded. And a new term, TACO, was coined. That stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.

TRUMP: You call that chickening out? Six months ago, this country was stone cold dead. We had a dead country. We had a country people didn't think was going to survive. And you ask a nasty question like that. It's called negotiation.

COOBAN: And over those 90 days negotiations continued. The U.K. agreed to the first trade deal, at least in principle, and more deals, though with limited details were announced over Truth Social, that's Trump's social media platform. By August, those without a deal got a new tariff rate.

TRUMP: I love tariffs. Most beautiful word. But I'm not allowed to say that anymore. So, tariff is my favorite word. I love the word tariff.

COOBAN: Then in October, Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping met and began to soften their respective positions on tariffs. Further meetings next year will be key. But in any case, Trump's tariffs bypassed U.S. Congress. And in 2026, Trump awaits a decision from the Supreme Court on whether some of those tariffs are even lawful.

So, 2025 may have been eventful, but there is clearly plenty to watch out for in 2026.

Anna Cooban, CNN, London.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Netflix gave Bridgerton fans the ultimate Christmas present, a new trailer for season four. Have a look.

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UNKNOWN: We begin another season.

UNKNOWN: I should like great gossip. The social season might look a little different.

UNKNOWN: No, no. He must begin the proper way.

UNKNOWN: Dearest gentle reader.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Well, this season follows the second Bridgerton son, Benedict, as he searches for love in a Cinderella retelling. He sets out to uncover the identity of the mysterious lady in silver he meets at a masquerade ball. New and old faces are returning for season four. The first installment drops January 29th, followed by part two on February 26th.

Well Hollywood royalty Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as lightning and thunder in a new movie that features the songs of American music legend Neil Diamond.

As CNN's Lynda Kinkade reports the love story about a tribute band has already garnered awards and nominations for its stars.

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KINKADE: Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson bringing music and messy honest love to life in the film Song Sung Blue inspired by a true story about a Neil Diamond tribute band.

JACKMAN: I'm not a songwriter. I'm not a sex symbol. I just want to entertain people.

KATE HUDSON, ACTRESS: I don't want to be a hairdresser. I want to sing. I want to dance. I want to garden. I want a cat.

KINKADE: What resonated with you and what hit home when you first read the script?

JACKMAN: It's real family showing up with some regrets, with some left turns, with some difficulties, and yet they're still showing off for each other.

KINKADE: Well, what was the biggest challenge in putting this film together?

JACKMAN: Well, getting it made. Everyone turned this film down, except one. Universal focus. We should call ourselves lightning and thunder.

KINKADE: And I heard you two felt like a married couple making this movie.

JACKMAN: Yes. Yes.

KINKADE: How did you build that chemistry?

JACKMAN: I was thankfully easy.

HUDSON: But this love story is central. Like if it doesn't work, the movie doesn't work. So, it was our job to make sure that we were, you know, that we had that connection. And thank God, thank God. Thank God it was you.

[03:25:08]

KINKADE: Congratulations --

HUDSON: Thank you.

KINKADE: -- on your nomination for the Golden Globe. HUDSON: Thank you very much.

KINKADE: Why do you think this was a bit of a breakout for you in terms of showcasing all of your talents?

HUDSON: Well, I don't think these rules come around very often. There's musicals and there's, you know, dramatic stories and things like that, but this kind of walks this line of entertainment and drama and art.

KINKADE: You do such a fabulous job at the Milwaukee accent.

HUDSON: I would slip into it sometimes, even when we're doing press. Just try it.

JACKSON: I told you I'm lactose intolerant.

HUDSON: I know, but it's just a little gas. We had a great dialect coach. He kept us in line.

KINKADE: How's Kate's Australian accent?

HUDSON: It's awful. It's hardest one for me.

JACKSON: Not many people do it well, right?

KINKADE: No. No.

HUDSON: No. No.

JACKSON: No. No.

KINKADE: And I loved when I saw you two just pop up at a bar, beer in hand and start singing.

JACKMAN: It was so great. We went down to Old Mates, which is --

(CROSSTALK)

HUDSON: Also, what a great bar.

JACKMAN: Yes.

HUDSON: But it's literally like you step into Australia when you're, I mean, everyone is Australian.

KINKADE: Where do we turn up to for the next performance at a bar?

JACKMAN: Well, we're touring the world.

KINKADE: Over the holidays and looking forward to 2026, wishes and hopes.

HUDSON: I'm going back to Neil Diamond's house. I've decided I'm spending the holidays with the Diamonds on cinnamon sticks.

JACKSON: Goal is to get invited to Kate Hudson's for Christmas. That's the epic Christmas.

KINKADE: That would be gold. Her family, I just feel like you just want to hug them all.

HUDSON: Oh.

JACKMAN: True.

HUDSON: Well, it depends on if we're playing games. If we're playing games, you won't want to hug us. We get really competitive. My mom leaves the room.

JACKMAN: There's a line in our movie, dream huge. And I wish that for every single one of you for 2026.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: We'll end on that note. I'm Kim Brunhuber. Thanks so much for joining us. The Quest Means Business Special, Very Merry Questmas is next.

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