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Isa Soares Tonight

New Photos Released From Epstein Files Includes Photos Of High Profile Figures; Maduro's Family, Oil Sector Hit By U.S. Sanctions; Sources Say The U.S. FDA Intends To Put a Black Box Warning On COVID 19 Vaccines; Russia Has Not Seen Latest Peace Plan, Doubts It Will Be Happy; Hostages Celebrates Hanukkah In Newly-Released Video; Abrego Garcia On Release: I Stand Before You As A Free Man; King Charles To Share Cancer Recovery Update; Group Puts A New Face On Far-Right Rhetoric; Star-Studded Lineup For 23rd Season Of Actors On Actors. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired December 12, 2025 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:00]

MAX FOSTER, HOST, ISA SOARES TONIGHT: A very warm welcome to the show, everyone, I'm Max Foster in for Isa Soares. Tonight, new photos from the

estate of Jeffrey Epstein. They've been released, and they include a number of very high profile figures. We'll have the latest.

Then the U.S. is ramping up pressure on Venezuela, slapping new sanctions on shipping companies, and even President Maduro's family. So, what is the

endgame here? We're live in Caracas. Plus, sources say the U.S. Food and Drug Administration intends to put a black box warning on COVID 19

vaccines, a plan which has shocked outside health experts. That, and much more just ahead.

Well, new photos are shedding light on the many powerful men that were in Jeffrey Epstein's orbit. Today, Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight

Committee released thousands of images from the late sex traffickers estate. They include two U.S. Presidents, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as

well as former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and billionaire businessman Bill Gates and Richard Branson.

None of the images depict any sexual misconduct or are believed to depict underage girls. Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department has exactly -- has

exactly one week to release the Epstein-related files in its possession. Annie Grayer joins us live from Washington. As we say, we haven't seen

anything illegal in these images, but they do shed a whole new light on Epstein's network

ANNIE GRAYER, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: That's right. These photos show just how close Epstein was to some of the most powerful men in the world. The

Oversight Democrats released 19 photos today out of a trove of 95,000 that they are still going through and haven't made public.

But just in those 19 photos, we see three photos of President Donald Trump, who was then a private citizen, he's featured in one photo with six women

whose faces are redacted, in another, where he and Epstein are talking to women -- a woman, and a third, where Trump is speaking -- is posing with

another woman and her face is redacted.

But Trump is not the only one in these images as you mentioned. Former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Woody Allen, Steve Bannon, Alan

Dershowitz, all individuals who we've known to have ties to Epstein. But these photos just put more in context how close Epstein was to all of these

men.

Now, these come -- these photos come from the Epstein estate, from Epstein's Gmail account, and are going to continue to be provided to the

committee on a rolling basis. Take a listen to the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, Robert Garcia, for what he has to say about today's

release.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ROBERT GARCIA (D-CA): It will take days and weeks to ensure that we got those photos, and that a redaction is done in the appropriate way. Let

me just also say that, clearly, we have put out, I think maybe 15 to 20 of those photos this morning. Democrats have. We will continue to put out more

photos in the days and weeks ahead.

But I just caution folks that the redaction process and ensuring that we are protecting the survivors and the women who were abused by Epstein are

protected.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GRAYER: Now, Republicans are criticizing Democrats for cherry-picking photos here and only choosing 19 of those images. But this all comes as the

Oversight Committee is plowing ahead with its investigation. They have bank subpoenas out for Epstein financial records. They still want to hear from

the U.S. Virgin Islands about Epstein's estate there.

And we are still waiting for the Department of Justice to release all of the Epstein files that is mandated by law to do so by December 19th.

FOSTER: You mentioned there, you know, the Republican view here that they are -- the Democrats are releasing these on their own volition, it seems,

and there's a political agenda here because the pictures match many of the narratives that they may have spoken to, but there are tens of thousands of

images here which might tell a different story, right?

GRAYER: Well, the committee hasn't released those tens of thousands yet. We've only seen these 19 today. We are expecting to get more. But

Republicans are criticizing Democrats for releasing a select few instead of waiting to release the whole batch at once.

[14:05:00]

FOSTER: In terms of the impact this has on wider Washington, I mean, people still asking questions why Donald Trump hasn't done more to release all of

this? Is that debate over now that we're starting to see the files?

GRAYER: I think this is a storm cloud that continues to follow the President and his presidency that just can't go away. He has tried to

distance himself from the Epstein investigation, saying that he cut ties with Epstein a long time ago. He's called the investigation a hoax. But

there continues to be more information that continues to come out, keeping this in the conversation.

I mean, just think back to how we got here. There was a Republican effort to get these Epstein files released, and there was a lot of pressure from

the White House, from the speaker's office to try and prevent Republicans from pushing this effort forward. But they withstood public pressure from

the administration, from the President, and have decided that they want everything out there.

That was not the position of the White House for a long time. So, this continues to be something that follows Trump around as much as he wants to

move on from this conversation.

FOSTER: OK, Annie Grayer, appreciate that. Thank you for joining us. President Trump ratcheting up pressure on Venezuela, meanwhile, fueling

growing fears that the two nations may be on a collision course towards armed conflict. Caracas says Washington has suspended deportation flights

that were scheduled to land today, but U.S. officials are disputing that claim.

Further escalating tensions, the U.S. decision to slap new sanctions on Venezuelan shipping companies and vessels along with family members and

other business associates of embattled leader Nicolas Maduro.

On that sanctions list, three nephews of Mr. Maduro's wife. President Trump again warns that a U.S. military operation in Venezuela will begin pretty

soon. And then he repeated a claim that's been widely debunked.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is the campaign against Venezuela still just about drugs, or is it now also about oil?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, it's about a lot of things. But one of the things it's about is the fact that they've allowed

millions of people to come into our country from their prisons, from gangs, from drug dealers, and from mental institutions. They've treated us badly,

and I guess now we're not treating them so good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: CNN's Kevin Liptak is in Washington, first, though, we're going to get the latest from Caracas, and Stefano Pozzebon, how are they reacting

there, Stefano?

STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, the reaction has been fierce in the last few days, Max, let's be honest here, going after those tankers and

going after the oil that Venezuela still exports despite the sanctions, and on the black market, but still exports to countries such as China, Russia,

India, Iran and in this case, Cuba.

Going after those shipments is by far the most decisive blow that the White House has landed on Maduro's leadership since this campaign began in the

beginning of August. It's hard to put into words and context how much the Venezuelan economy actually depends on oil exports. According for example,

to some estimates that we spoke with, some analysts that we spoke with in the last few hours, one member told me that, well, the Venezuelan economy

is exporting oil.

We're talking about more than 90 percent of foreign income. So, that's why we have seen really a fierce dispute, and also the Vice President of

Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, who told us just yesterday that she had a phone call with the International Maritime Organization Secretary up in the U.K.

to denounce what they're saying are threats to the freedom of navigation in the southern Caribbean.

So, clearly something that has rattled them much more than the campaign to land kinetic strikes on drug trafficking speedboats that we've seen in the

last few weeks that have so far led to the death of more than 80 alleged narco traffickers, without the White House providing any proof.

But it's also interesting that perhaps going after the Maduro's oil is even more palatable for other people that have stakes here in Venezuela, and

maybe be advocating for a change in government in Caracas without strictly condoning the fact that the U.S. are blowing up ships in the middle of the

sea.

For example, let's -- I remember a couple of weeks ago that it was even Pope Leo who said that he was critical of the strategy employed by the

White House of going after the narco trafficking speedboats with such violence. But perhaps, it could be -- something could be achieved by

putting even more economic pressure on Nicolas Maduro.

So, I think that there is a different change in tactics, and Maduro should feel more and more surrounded, perhaps, and even under siege. The question,

however is, how would he react? Right now there are three chess games open. There is the narco trafficking issue, there is the oil issue, and there is

the deportation issue. But all of those are connected and we don't know what Nicolas Maduro might do next in response, Nick --

FOSTER: Yes --

POZZEBON: Yes --

FOSTER: Max, sorry --

[14:10:00]

POZZEBON: Yes, Stefano, thank you. Kevin, I mean, you know, Trump doesn't want a war, does he? And he'll be under a huge amount of pressure if he

does end up going to war. So, is this going to be the ongoing strategy any way he can find to put pressure on Maduro?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: That seems to be the President's objective at this point. And I think the fact that he has now

added immigration to the list of reasons that he's applying all this pressure on Maduro just gives you a sense of perhaps how muddled the

President's objectives actually are.

You know, first, we had the drug boats, then we had the sanctions enforcement when it came to that oil tanker, and now the President adding

illegal migration onto that list. You know, the President did say yesterday, and he's been saying this for the last couple of weeks or so,

that he's prepared very quickly to order strikes on land in Venezuela.

But at the same time, he doesn't seem like he's in a particular rush to give the final execute order there, and I think that speaks to some of the

reservations that he may have about what the end game is in all of this. You know, he is concerned, according to officials, that the actual direct

action to take out Maduro could be potentially unsuccessful, that it could create a backlash, that it could backfire on the United States and mire the

United States in a prolonged conflict, which is just something he very much wants to avoid.

I also think, you know, Donald Trump is of the era who remembers failed American interventions in Latin America pretty well, whether it was in

Cuba, Nicaragua or Panama, he's someone who is sort of acutely aware of how this could all go awry. And so, even though there are advisors in the

administration, namely the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who have been very bullish on this strategy, who want to see Maduro go.

The President, according to people that we've been speaking to, continues to have concerns about how all of this playing -- is playing out. I think

in the President's sort of best scenario, Maduro would leave on his own, that he would feel the pressure mounting, whether it's through sanctions or

whether it's through the military strikes, or whether it's through this tightening grip on Venezuela's energy sector.

And decide that this is the time to go, and that the United States would somehow find an exit ramp for him, a place for him to live, essentially in

exile. But at this point, it's not clear that, that is in Maduro's mind at all. And so, you're left with this scenario, with the President

consistently ratcheting up the rhetoric, ratcheting up the threats. But so far, not ordering these new round of strikes that he keeps saying will be

happening very quickly.

FOSTER: Yes, and meanwhile, he's trying to calm tensions in east Asia as well, isn't he? Because we've got this conflict between Thailand and

Cambodia.

LIPTAK: Yes, and you have seen the tensions flare up on that border over the last several days after the President helped broker a ceasefire between

those two countries when he was visiting Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia earlier this year. Now, the President did get on the phone today with the leaders

of Thailand and Cambodia, and says that they have agreed to stop the fighting.

He said that this was a very, quote, his words, "a very unfortunate re- awakening of their long-running war". He says that the original impetus for this latest round of conflict, which was a roadside bomb, was in fact an

accident, and that the two leaders have agreed to go back to that peace agreement that he helped put in place.

But I do think it underscores some of the difficulties that the President is having as he seeks to tamp down on all of these conflicts around the

globe. You know, the President has made no secret, he's in pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize, but these conflicts are, you know, in some cases more

than a century old, the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia began in 1907.

And that disputed border that was drawn by French colonial powers. And so, even though the President makes quite a big deal about having success in

tamping down these conflicts, I think this just illustrates that it's going to be an ongoing effort and not sort of a definitive one.

FOSTER: Kevin, Stefano, appreciate it. Thank you both. Venezuela's opposition leader, meanwhile, says she's ready to become her country's vice

president. Maria Corina Machado told reporters today that she's focusing on an orderly transition of power if the Maduro government is forced out.

CNN's Pau Mosquera spoke to her in Oslo.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Maria Corina Machado seems pretty convinced that a political transition in Venezuela is unavoidable.

She said today that they are working for a peaceful transition, but it will happen, whether Maduro accepts to step down or not.

And even she added that she expects the military and Venezuelan police to obey all the guidelines coming from the new government. Those were some of

the remarks that the Venezuelan opposition leader shared this Friday on a more intimate presser, where CNN was present.

[14:15:00]

We actually had the chance to pose one question to her.

The Trump administration is already developing plans for the post-Maduro year. Where do you see yourself in that scenario?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO, VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION LEADER & NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER FOR 2025: Well, not only the American government, I think many other

governments around the world are preparing for a democratic transition in Venezuela for several reasons. One is because they realize that the largest

migration crisis in the world today is certainly Venezuelans that have been forced to flee and Venezuelans are also preparing to come back.

So, these will have impact in many countries, including the United States. I'm talking about hundreds of thousands of people that will come back home,

and I will be where the Venezuelan people already mandated. We won an election by a landslide. And our president-elect, has asked me to join the

government as vice president.

So, I will accompany him in this new and challenging era that starts -- or I would say that has already started.

MOSQUERA: During this presser, Machado made another call to the international community, asking to cut all kind of sourcing and funding of

the Venezuelan government to suffocate them. And again, the journalists, we tried to get more details on what are her plans now that she is here in the

Norwegian capital.

But she said that so far, the only plans are taking a rest, spending some time with the family and friends and maybe going for a medical checkup. And

once she had enough rest, she will consider then arranging meetings with the authorities. But she didn't specify if that would happen here in Europe

or in other countries like the United States. Pau Mosquera, CNN, Oslo, Norway.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Staying on the topic of Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi has reportedly been arrested by Iranian authorities. Her

foundation cites her brother saying Mohammadi was violently detained by security and police forces.

The arrest came during a memorial ceremony for a lawyer recently found dead in his office. Mohammadi won the Peace Prize in 2023 for her work as a

human rights activist. She has spent most of the last two decades in prison due to her criticism of the Iranian government.

Still to come tonight, vaccine skepticism at the top of the U.S. Health Department. What we're learning about a potential new warning on COVID 19

vaccines just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:20:00]

FOSTER: Sources say the U.S. Food and Drug Administration intends to put a black box warning on COVID 19 vaccines. That warning is the FDA's most

serious tool used to warn users about life-threatening risks linked to a product. For reference, opioids carry a black box warning due to the risk

of abuse, addiction and overdose.

Health Secretary RFK Jr. has repeatedly questioned the safety of COVID 19 vaccines. CNN's Meg Tirrell has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MEG TIRRELL, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Well, we've learned that the FDA is finalizing plans to put its most serious warning on COVID

19 vaccines. It's called a black box warning, and it shows up really at the top of prescribing information outlined in a black box so that prescribers

and patients are aware of really serious risks that can be associated with products.

Typically, this is reserved for situations where a medical product might be associated with the risk of death or life-threatening or disabling

reactions. And really, it's there so that prescribers and patients can weigh those potential risks against the benefits of any intervention that

they're considering.

Now, we've learned that this is in the process, it's not finalized and could still change. But it comes after a memo was issued in late November

by the FDA's vaccines chief, Dr. Vinay Prasad, which claimed that the COVID 19 vaccine has been linked to the deaths of at least ten children.

Now, this is a claim that outside experts say they haven't seen data to support and question if that is part of the impetus for adding this label

to the vaccines, whether that is an appropriate course of action. Typically, also, the procedure for something like this involves a really

public process.

The FDA, typically experts tell us, would let the public know that it's weighing this safety risk, sometimes call an outside panel of advisors to

meet to discuss the safety data and whether to add this to the labels of medical product. And so far, of course, we haven't seen any of that take

place.

Now, we have reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services, which tells us in a statement, quote, "unless the FDA announces it, any

claim about what it will do is pure speculation. The FDA takes very seriously any death that is attributed to a regulated medical product."

We should also point out this is just the latest in a series of efforts under the Trump administration's health officials during this

administration to weaken confidence in COVID 19 vaccines. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a long-time critic of the COVID vaccines

safety and efficacy.

But we should also note that these vaccines were developed, tested and green-lit under the first Trump administration. Really, in a scientific

feat that was so monumental that many Republicans now are calling for the President to win the Nobel Peace Prize for it.

COVID 19 vaccines are still recommended, especially for more vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and

also for children and babies under the age of two, all who are at a potentially higher risk of being hospitalized for COVID 19.

So, there is a lot of concern that a warning like this placed on these vaccines could weaken confidence in them. When vaccination rates are

already low, potentially making those trends even worse.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Meg Tirrell there. Joining us now, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, he is an American physician and the former director of the CDC's National Center for

Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. He resigned though from the CDC leadership in August, citing concern for the direction of the agency under

RFK Jr.'s leadership. Thank you so much for joining us. Would you have approved of this if you were still there?

DEMETRE DASKALAKIS, PHYSICIAN: I mean, I think the FDA and the CDC work collaboratively. So, this is something that is definitely in the FDA's

lane. So, at CDC, we wouldn't have really a voice in approving or disapproving, but more we would be really questioning where are the data

that would lead us to such a significant warning?

And again, where is the process? So, I think I would -- you know, like so many other experts, would question why is there a potentially a black box

warning going on a -- on a vaccine that has prevented many sicknesses and many deaths. So, I think they need to show their work.

FOSTER: I mean, what is the purpose of the black box, would you say? Because as Meg was saying, inevitably, it's going to make people think

twice about getting involved.

DASKALAKIS: I mean, usually, the purpose of a black box is to give people a warning about something that is credible, and that has a significant amount

of data, and that's been adequately reviewed. In this circumstance, I can't speak to that because they have not shared anything beyond a memo.

[14:25:00]

Which again, allegedly was leaked but seemingly was very well curated. But then there also appears to be other information coming out of FDA,

questioning whether the finding of any deaths among children is actually valid, or if this is really an exercise in trying to kowtow to political

pressure.

So, I think we need to see the work is the bottom line. And the black box, it's something sacred really at FDA, such a significant warning needs to be

backed up with significant data. And to date, we've not seen that.

FOSTER: They could argue that there isn't enough data, therefore we don't know. And therefore we should err on the side of caution and go for the

black box.

DASKALAKIS: Yes, I mean, I think that, that is one of the strategies that this administration, specifically Secretary Kennedy and his -- and his

collaborators do, is really to discredit the data that is being used to both identify the risk and the benefit of vaccines.

So, these are systems that have been used for decades, and have been very well vetted in being able to identify both risk and effectiveness. And so,

I think that the bottom line is that, it is an old anti-vax trick to try to focus on the system rather than the data.

As it stands, unless we see the data, it would seem very odd to put an absolute black box on a product without actually having it vetted and going

through some process that, frankly, should include third party external academic experts or advisory committees. This isn't a simple statement.

This is a pretty complex statement, and very controversial. So, it would be best for the agency to back it up with other people's opinions.

FOSTER: One thing we do know is, it's going to put some people at least off from taking the vaccine, which will increase the risk of, you know, another

uptick in COVID.

DASKALAKIS: Yes, I mean, data are streaming out in the literature around the effectiveness of COVID 19 vaccine in children. A study just came out of

CDC yesterday that, that really said that the vaccine effectiveness in preventing ER and urgent care visits for young children ended up being

around 70 percent.

So, that's pretty remarkable. There are other data that show mortality benefits. And so, this FDA and the CDC are focused only on risk and not

really on the fact that there's benefit. So, I mean, what that signals to people is that, all there is, is risk. And that's not true. The vaccine has

great benefit.

And that's really playing out on all of the data. So, I go back to my first statement. The FDA really needs to show the data where the risk outweighs

the benefit. And based on what I've seen, that's not the case.

FOSTER: I think I'm right in saying, aren't I? That the black box is most associated with opioids, which is why we mentioned it. And, you know, there

is a risk with opioids, isn't there? Are you concerned that now people will look at the COVID vaccine and think, it's as dangerous as an opioid?

DASKALAKIS: You know, I think there are other black box warnings that exist. They're not only on opioids. But I do think that this very extreme

statement of, in effect, danger to people when there may not be the data that supports such danger is really going to rattle vaccine confidence even

more.

We're seeing COVID vaccine uptick in the United States really lagging behind last year. And so, I think this is just, you know, more sort of in

the list of the propaganda that is being created by the Health and Human Services to really try to destabilize trust in vaccines.

At the end of the day, the vaccine has prevented so much death and disability, that it just doesn't make sense to put a black box, unless they

share new data. It's important that they share the data, show their work --

FOSTER: Yes --

DASKALAKIS: Because that's where we see if there's actually a reason that they could change.

FOSTER: Absolutely. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, really appreciate your time today. Thank you for joining us.

DASKALAKIS: Thanks, Max, for having me.

FOSTER: Still to come tonight, back from his tour of European capitals, Ukraine's leader heads to the frontlines. We'll tell you about his latest

idea for forging peace when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:32:49]

FOSTER: Russia says it still hasn't seen the peace ban that U.S., Ukrainian, and European leaders have been talking about over the last

couple of days, but one Russian official predicted that the Kremlin would not be happy with it. So, Vladimir Putin is in Turkmenistan today where he

met with the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan offered to host a new round of direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks and urged both sides

to stop attacking ports and energy infrastructure.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, went back to the front lines today. He was just a kilometer from Russian positions when he shot this

video. He praised Ukraine soldiers and said every gain they make on the battlefield is a gain for Ukraine at a negotiating table. All of this as

Ukrainian and European negotiators prepare for a weekend meeting in Paris. A meeting that the U.S. may not even attend.

Our Melissa Bell though is in Paris. Do you think they'll turn up in the end?

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well Max, what we understand is that there had been this talk of a meeting in Paris. In fact,

that will not now happen. The question of whether maybe by next week there could be some kind of meeting in Europe. That's something Elysee officials

have said could happen. But denying the fact that this meeting wasn't happening tomorrow was an indication of the negotiations going poorly.

On the contrary, what we heard from Elysee source tonight, Max, is that those conversations continue and specifically on that revised 20 point

Ukrainian -- the Ukrainian revised plan rather, that has now been sent back to the United States. At its heart, of course, a number of sticking points,

not least the question of territory in the Donbas, but also the question of what kind of security guarantees Europeans can give Ukraine backed by the

United States.

So those conversations continue. We understand Ursula von der Leyen for instance has said that the next week could be decisive. And there is this

feeling at least here in Europe that the progress -- that progress has been made and that the conversation should continue. But of course, you

mentioned a moment ago the Kremlin aid. No word from the Russians. They haven't seen the documents. They haven't been part of this latest phase of

the negotiations. The question and I think this is on the mind of all European leaders what Moscow will make of that revised Ukrainian plan.

[14:35:08]

There is at its heart of course the question of what happens to the Donbas, and this is likely to be one of the big sticking points for the Russians.

They had insisted that the entirety of it should come back to Russia even those parts not conquered. What we heard from President Zelenskyy on

Thursday is that the American compromise being suggested is some sort of demilitarized zone, a free economic area and the Ukrainians hope closer to

the contact lines themselves.

All of this of course at the heart of these negotiations that do feel like they're making progress, but again with a lot more detail to be examined

and sorted out. These are complex negotiations, of course, because Europe, the United States, Ukraine, and eventually Russia will have to be involved.

The big question what Russia will make of this revised plan, Max.

FOSTER: OK, Melissa in Paris, thank you so much for that.

Now, there's been another day of rain in Gaza, worsening the humanitarian crisis for civilians, many of whom live in tents or temporary shelters.

These images give us a glimpse of what people are facing there. In Khan Yunis, one mother told CNN her 8-month-old baby died earlier this week due

to hypothermia. An aid group says many people are living below street level, causing rainwater to collect inside the tents. It says the situation

is being made worse by sewage overflowing and getting into those shelters.

Newly released video showing six Israeli hostages celebrating Hanukkah in Gaza -- in a Gaza tunnel months before they were killed by Hamas. The video

would have been taken in December 2023 and offers a vital clue about the life the hostages faced during their captivity. Jeremy Diamond has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From the depths of captivity, these six Israeli hostages celebrated the miracle of Hanukkah

and prayed for their own. But that miracle never came. The beautiful six, as they've come to be known, were executed by Hamas in August of 2024 as

Israeli troops closed in on their location.

These never-before-seen videos appear to have been filmed about 8 months earlier, lighting candles on the first and second nights of Hanukkah using

a makeshift menorah made of paper cups.

With the help of miracles associated with this holiday, may we go home in a big miracle and may we return to normal, happy and good lives. And may we

always be happy, all of us, says hostage Almog Sarusi.

The videos were filmed by Hamas and later obtained by the Israeli military. Now their families say they want the world to see them. Hamas filmed these

videos as propaganda, but the humanity of the beautiful six shines through this footage. The footage released by the hostage and missing families

forum offers a new, albeit partially staged glimpse into their captivity, playing cards, cutting each other's hair, and in this clip, pressing their

captors for medical attention.

He needs treatment, Hostage Carmel Gat tells a guard, professional.

American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose left hand was blown off by a Hamas grenade is seen repeatedly, often trying to reassure his family.

We're here healthy and alive. We are being taken care of. We are all right and we want to return home.

HERSH GOLDBERG-POLIN, HAMAS HOSTAGE: Happy New Year to everyone and my -- all my family.

DIAMOND (voice-over): Hersh would not live to see another year. He was killed the next August.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Tel Aviv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Now, a man who's been a focal point of the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown is now out of detention and speaking about his case.

A federal judge ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be released from ICE custody on Thursday. The Salvadorian man was mistakenly deported earlier

this year before he was returned to the U.S. and detained again for several months. Speaking at a rally after his release, Abrego Garcia appeared

optimistic, saying that he's holding up his head high.

Joining us now with more details is CNN's Julia Benbrook. Where does the case go from here then, Julia?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, he is back in Maryland with family now for the first time in a long time. In fact, he

has only seen them twice as all of this legal battle has continued to play out. And the judge ordered last night his immediate release from

immigration control. And he was then in that 31-page order from the judge, she said that he had been detained for months without lawful authority.

[14:40:00]

Now, Max, I was just in Baltimore where we heard Abrego Garcia speak, and he did tell this group of supporters that he was going to walk in with his

head held high. He was there for a required check-in. That's in a field office there in Baltimore. And then he was able to go be with family

afterwards.

Now, he said how grateful he was, that this was a relief. His lawyer also echoed that sentiment, saying that this will allow them to work towards

something, but he also highlighted that the fight here is not over. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SIMON SANDOVAL-MOSHENBERG, ATTORNEY FOR KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA: The government has a lot of tools in their toolbox, but he also has a number of

options available to him. And now that he's got at least a brief reprieve and some assurances from the court that he can't be arrested today. He'll

have time to consider those options. In terms of his immigration status, whether he chooses to apply for asylum or not, that'll be one of the many

choices that he has.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BENBROOK: Abrego Garcia's story has been a flash point in the Trump Administration's mass deportation efforts. When he was mistakenly deported

to El Salvador, there were questions about if he would ever be able to return to the United States. After he returned, the administration

continued to look to other countries, specifically in Africa, where they could deport him. Those efforts have not come to fruition at this point.

Now, an interesting note is that Costa Rica specifically said that they would be willing to let him in. And that is something that his lawyers have

said he could be open to in the future as well.

Now, as far as what is next in the immediate future, his lawyer said that there is a temporary restraining order that gave them confidence today that

he would be able to walk into that office in Baltimore and walk out. They are waiting on a hearing date. We do think it is likely the Trump

Administration will appeal that order.

FOSTER: Fascinating. CNN's Julia Benbrook, thank you for that.

Still to come tonight, meet the so-called Pink Ladies. The group putting a new face on far-right messaging here in the U.K.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Here in the U.K., we're expecting to hear an update from King Charles about his experience with cancer. The pre-recorded message -- video

message scheduled to release in about 20 minutes. We'll bring it to you, of course. Buckingham Palace saying it'll include personal reflections from

Charles on his recovery and stress the importance of cancer screening for early diagnosis. The monarch revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer in

February 2024 and briefly stepped away from public duties whilst receiving outpatient treatment. We'll bring you the news as we get it towards the top

of the hour.

[14:45:17]

Now, as tensions over migration rise across Europe, one group in the U.K. is trying to put a new spin on right-wing rhetoric. The Pink Ladies says

its mission is to protect women, but as CNN's Jomana Karadsheh found out, it's frequently adopting the kind of anti-immigrant messaging used by the

far right.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Meet the Pink Ladies, a new face of Britain's growing anti-immigration movement. We

went to one of their pink protests just outside London to try and understand what this is all about.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've got our own scumbags, our own predators, and our own sex pests. We do not need to bring in more every day. Men from cultures

that do not think like we do, who treat women like third-class citizens, and who think it's acceptable to marry 8 and 9-year-old girls.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): This is not racism, they say, and they're not the far-right. But a lot of what we heard sounded an awful lot like the far-

right's narrative.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They need to get their army involved. We're being invaded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it's bloody terrible. It's all over Europe, you know, being invaded.

KARADSHEH: By?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By illegal migrants.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): Advocacy groups say exploiting the issue of violence against women and genuine safety concerns is a common far-right

tactic. The Pink Ladies say they're grassroot women concerned about mass migration and what it means for their safety and the future of their

country. Putting out catchy tunes like this one that market their agenda.

The so far small group emerged a few months ago at a time of rising tensions over migration with the far-right seizing on that.

KARADSHEH: A lot of people looking at what's happening in the U.K. from the outside, they might say that a lot of the things that you are saying are

the talking points for the far-right. How would you --

ORLA MINIHANE, ORGANIZER, PINK LADIES: What is far right? Far right is extremists. Far left is extremism. How am I extremist? I'm just a mom who's

worked her whole life, who's bringing up three children, who lives in suburbia. I don't want my daughter to be sexually assaulted by men that

have come over to this country that we've got no background checks on. If that makes me a far-right, then there's something very, very concerning

with the rhetoric, right?

KARADSHEH (voice-over): That's Orla Minihane. She's a local candidate for the right-wing populist party, Reform U.K. Amid this show of pink

solidarity and what was mostly a jovial and at times surreal atmosphere, we heard from women worried about their safety and that of their daughters.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Women are scared to walk anywhere and you know, we live in a small town.

MINIHANE: This is the seriousness of what we're dealing with.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): The government doesn't publish detailed figures on crimes committed by asylum seekers, but there have been some high-profile

cases that have put women and girls on edge. On top of that, there are the twisted facts that go unchecked.

MINIHANE: These five women have died, have been murdered at the hands of an illegal migrant catastrophe that this government is letting happen.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): Except two of the suspects in these five horrific murder cases are British nationals. But for Laura and others, what they

heard here was enough for them to make up their minds.

KARADSHEH: What is it that is making you feel unsafe?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it's all the rapes, murders, you know, what they've been talking about today.

KARADSHEH (voice-over): Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, Chelmsford, England.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: We'll be back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:51:38]

FOSTER: Popular Actors on Actor show back for its 23rd season. The show pairs up actors for a revealing look at their careers and craft. New this

year, Variety and CNN have teamed up to air the first -- to air the show first on CNN's streaming channel and then on Variety's YouTube. Today's

conversation is between Stellan Skarsgard and his son Alexander.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXANDER SKARSGARD, ACTOR: My dream was to just kind of for my family to be normal and fit in and be like everyone else's family. Like you said, for

you to have a briefcase, that would have been fantastic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Elizabeth Wagmeister joins me now with a preview of the new episode. You've been behind the scenes of these, haven't you? I mean, it is

a genius format, isn't it? They're going to open up in a -- in a way that they wouldn't with people they didn't know.

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: That's absolutely right. You never see actors in this light, Max, because they're being

interviewed by their own peers. So, they become a journalist and they're in the hot seat, but they open up in ways that they quite frankly often don't

with a journalist because they feel comfortable. So, what you get is a raw candid conversation as you saw there with Alexander and Stellan Skarsgard.

I mean, it's father and son. Where else are you going to see that?

So, we are super excited that we now have this great series at CNN. And as you said, I was on set. I interviewed all of the actors right off the set

after their conversation. And this particular conversation with Stellan and Alexander Skarsgard was one of my favorite. And they were so funny behind

the scenes. I mean, Max, I was cracking up. They were just -- it went kind of off the rails but in the best way possible.

FOSTER: I mean, where -- what have you learned from these interviews? Because you know you're a journalist. It must be fascinating to see how

they unfold. But what -- is there something you've learned from them?

WAGMEISTER: Absolutely. I mean look this is the kickoff to awards season. So, why are they sitting down? Let's be honest, it's because they're

starting their Oscars campaign. But what you get is so much more than that. These actors, they really love to sit down with each other. Some of them

are quite nervous. They show up with tons of notes and they've done a ton of preparation and they don't just talk about their films heading into

Oscar season. They talk about their entire career and they talk about their craft and they really let the walls down.

So, with this particular interview, you hear from Alexander Skarsgard that he didn't love growing up in a showbiz family. Obviously, he ended up being

a very successful actor, but at the time, he didn't love it. And we've had some great episodes rolling out all week. We have many more episodes

rolling out in the week ahead. There you see, I'm talking to Sydney Sweeney and Ethan Hawke. Those are two people you would never really think would be

together, but they were so excited to see each other.

And I have to tell you, there's a big episode coming next week, Max. Leonardo DiCaprio sitting down with Jennifer Lawrence. Leonardo DiCaprio in

all 23 seasons has never done Actors on Actors. And I was on set. I don't want to give too much away. But he really gets very candid. We never see

someone like Leo sit down for a long at-length interview like this. And you learn a lot about him, how he grew up in this industry and you really just

see him in a different light.

[14:55:14]

FOSTER: Elizabeth Wagmeister with one of the best gigs in the -- in the business right now. It must be fascinating. Thanks for joining us.

WAGMEISTER: Thanks, Max.

FOSTER: Finally, tonight, if you think jumping out of a plane sounds like your worst nightmare, we've got something even worse for you. This is the

moment an Australian skydivers parachute became caught on the tail of a plane at 15,000 feet. The incident took place in September, and the

harrowing video released by Australia's Transport Safety Agency. So, the skydiver managed to disentangle himself thankfully using a specialist knife

and remarkably sustained only minor injuries. I mean it's just a nightmare.

Thanks for watching tonight. Stay with CNN. I'll have "WHAT WE KNOW" coming up.

END