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One World with Zain Asher

Zelenskyy's Top Adviser Resigns After Anti-Corruption Raid; Trump: U.S. Land Action in Venezuela Will Start "Very Soon"; Syria Calls Israel's Incursion In Country A "War Crime"; Al-Sahlani: Gender-Based Violence Is A Man's Problem; Record Crowds Expected, Yet Spending To Be Down; Idaho Woman To Help Deck The Halls Of The White House; Aired 12-12:45p ET

Aired November 28, 2025 - 12:00   ET

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

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[12:00:40]

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: Volodymyr Zelenskyy's right-hand man is out of a job, and it couldn't have come at a worse time. The second hour of

"One World" starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY EDITOR: Comes at a time to say whether diplomatic stakes, frankly, couldn't be higher.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Days before another round of U.S.-backed peace talks, the second most powerful man in Ukraine resigns, and he's on the outs, and what

does it mean for the war going forward?

By land and by sea, Donald Trump says the United States is ready to take the war against drugs to the shores of Venezuela.

And later.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANGIE OLSZEWSKI, WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS DECORATOR: This is the real deal. I am part of the White House Christmas decorating team.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Ten years in the making. How this woman's talent for Christmas dAccor just got her a job at the White House.

Live from London, I'm Christina Macfarlane. Zain and Bianna are off today. You are watching "One World."

And we begin with a corruption scandal that is shaking Ukraine at a time when crucial peace talks to end the war with Russia are gaining intensity.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has resigned. The third government official to be taken down by the scandal. It

comes hours after an anti-corruption official raided his home. Yermak has been seen as the second most powerful man in Ukraine.

He's been by Zelenskyy's side since the very beginning of Russia's full- scale invasion and has been the leading the Ukrainian delegation during recent talks in Geneva with Washington. President Zelenskyy talked about

the issue in his daily T.V. address.

(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, Andriy Yermak, has written a letter of resignation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Well, let's bring in Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics. He's also a former Ukrainian minister for economic

development and trade and a former adviser to Andriy Yermak during 2021 and 2020. Tymofiy, really good to see you.

First, I just want to get your thoughts on this dramatic development. This will be a blow to President Zelenskyy. What do you make of the timing of

this resignation and the impact this will have for the president?

TYMOFIY MYLOVANOV, FORMER ADVISOR TO ANDRIY YERMAK: Actually, I think that's the only right move given the domestic political crisis. And it'll -

- it will strengthen President Zelenskyy rather than weaken him.

Of course, you know, he says -- you know, it takes dignity on the part of Andriy Yermak, and they messaged him and thank him for his service. He has

not been implicated, but there is a fight. There is a perception. There is a question of transparency and accountability. And after today's rate of

the law enforcement and his offices, which, by the way, is historically unprecedented in Ukraine, never again -- never before we could have

imagined that our law enforcement agencies would be so independent and so powerful.

But this is a sign of internal struggle, internal cleaning, internal fighting with corruption. I think it's the worst possible moment for this,

given the negotiations. But I think it's also a sign of Ukraine being able to move on and institutions working.

MACFARLANE: And I just want to press you on why you think this is actually better for President Zelenskyy in this moment because obviously, Yermak was

the number two politician in Ukraine, his close aide.

With him gone, does the scrutiny not now turn to President Zelenskyy himself? How -- what is the feeling within Ukraine at this moment and how

they're viewing the president?

MYLOVANOV: So my understanding from talking to the opposition leaders, to the dissenters within the party of the president, to former and current

government officials and to the military over the last several days, is that the president is not in danger.

No one suspects the president -- expects that there will be any repercussions against him or that people will go against him politically,

or there will be pressure on him.

[12:05:07]

It is true that president defended Andriy Yermak as his loyal ally for a long time. And there was a lot of internal pressure on him, on president --

for Andriy Yermak to go, regardless of whether he is implicated in something or not. And he has not been, by the way.

Let's be -- let's be clear that he has not been implicated or accused of anything yet.

MACFARLANE: Yes.

MYLOVANOV: And maybe will never be, I hope.

But internally, the allies of President Zelenskyy have been pushing for this over the last week or so quietly, privately, in a hidden manner, so

not to destabilize the -- the standing of Ukraine in the international negotiations and peace negotiations.

And I think it has been coming to some kind of climax. And I think it's good that it has been resolved.

MACFARLANE: Yes. Okay. So let's talk about the timing of this, because this is a critical week upcoming where we have the Special Envoy Witkoff

traveling to Moscow to meet with the Russian president and we have Army Secretary Dan Driscoll traveling to Kyiv this weekend.

How concerned are you that this corruption scandal has come to a head in this way and that it may now weaken Ukraine's negotiating position going

into this week?

MYLOVANOV: Well, I think the timing is in this ominous or, you know, kind of worrying. I think Russia takes advantage of this timing. And Ukraine is

in a vulnerable position. And President Zelenskyy comes under pressure, both from Russia and the United States. So, yes, the timing is awful.

And it's, in some sense, weakens the ability of Ukraine. Because Andriy Yermak was the chief negotiator. There was a lot of institutional

knowledge, culture detail, previous experience, trust, and not built in these negotiations. And now we have to have some other people negotiating.

It is absolutely possible Ukraine has very capable people, but there is a disruption and mistakes can be made.

MACFARLANE: And I want to ask you, because we heard from President Putin just yesterday promoting once again, Russia's maximalist demands to bring

an end to the war, not seemingly budging at all on his position heading into this week.

I just wonder what hope you have of -- of any breakthrough coming in these U.S. discussions and any chances, I guess, wrapped into that of security

guarantees for Ukraine.

MYLOVANOV: Well, I think there is a sense, at least in Ukraine, that we are coming to some kind of end spill and game on this too, not only on domestic

political crisis, but also negotiations. I might be wrong, but that's a sense that many of my colleagues and friends in -- in politics are, you

know, describing.

Now, this is not going to be a pleasant deal, but it is also clear that the United States has very aligned incentives with Ukraine. Because if Ukraine

gets, you know, kind of a deal in which there are no security guarantees, meaningful security guarantees, no structures, not on paper, but in

reality.

Russia is certain to invade within, you know, a very short period of time. And then President Trump will have some kind of a Biden version of

Afghanistan, but in Ukraine, or potentially can have that.

And I think that's an absolutely a disastrous prospect for -- for the U.S. administration. And so, people are working behind the scenes on getting the

security guarantees. Plus, Europeans are involved. Plus, funding is being structured.

So, you know, I think it's not going to be that easy to get security guarantees, but something will be in place. Ultimately, it will be up to

Ukraine.

MACFARLANE: But the discussion about these negotiations this week, really, and again, as President -- the Russian president came out and showed his

position yesterday, is that this is all about Russia playing for time once again.

I mean, if you look at the front lines right now, isn't that the concern that President Putin is -- is playing the negotiators here?

MYLOVANOV: Well, absolutely. That is a concern. Russia is -- is making a very clear trade. It's killing a lot of its soldiers in exchange of very

little territory. And, you know, Ukraine doesn't want to kill that many of Ukrainian servicemen.

And so, you know, it's simply a war of attrition where -- where Russia has absolute disregard for its own people. And President Putin can continue or

claims that he can continue.

But recent sanctions on the Rosneft and Lukoil and other potential, you know, actions that basically have put some pressure on Russia. Russian

economy has accumulated structural imbalances. A crisis is possible. That doesn't necessarily mean it will happen because it requires a trigger. But,

you know, it is absolutely not true that there is fortress Russia and it can go on for forever.

MACFARLANE: All right. Tymofiy, we really appreciate you joining us there from Ukraine to give us your perspective on this. Thank you.

[12:10:07]

U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be preparing for a new phase of military action against Venezuela that includes taking action on land.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In a recent week, you've been working to deter Venezuelan drug traffickers, of which there are many. Of

course, there aren't too many coming in by sea anymore.

People aren't wanting to be delivering by sea and we'll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier but that's going to start very soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Well, that's announcement happened just hours after the U.S. sent more military firepower to the region. And Secretary of Defense Pete

Hegseth paid a visit to the United States, largest aircraft carrier which was recently moved to Latin America.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PETE HEGSETH, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Patrol or whether it's in our nation's hemisphere out at sea, interdicting cartels, defending the

American people, we are grateful for you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Maduro's message at a military parade on Thursday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICOLAS MADURO, VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT (through translator): For the last 17 weeks, foreign imperialist forces have been continuously threatening to

alter the peace in the Caribbean, in South America, and in Venezuela under false pretenses and extravagant arguments that no one believes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: CNN's Stefano Pozzebon is joining me now live. So, Stefano, this announcement from Trump appears that he's made a decision on his next

plan of action. What's the reaction been like from Venezuela to this?

STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Yes. Well, I think that Nicolas Maduro's words yesterday as he was commemorating a failed coup from his predecessor,

the late president Hugo Chavez. But again, it was just an occasion for him to portray himself in a position of strength.

It's not a coincidence that he was speaking to armed forces, members of the armed military and especially wearing a green uniform.

Well, we've been here before. We've been here for the last 17 weeks. I think that there is inside Venezuela a sense of fatigue all of -- around

all of these military build-up from the United States that never arrives to the actual critical point.

Donald Trump might say that conducting operations on the land, which we understand we -- we intend to -- to believe that that would mean inside

Venezuelan territory.

Well, Donald Trump might say that that would be easier. It would be frankly much more difficult in terms of coming up with a response to what -- to how

Maduro would retaliate with that.

And this is a game of carrots and sticks that we've been seeing here for the last four months. And -- and I think that Maduro and many other people

here in Venezuela are still on the edge. And there is a sense of fatigue around that -- that edge because of these geopolitical tensions we shall

see eventually if Donald Trump decides to move forward.

A week ago, he was saying that he was open to discussing in person with Nicolas Maduro. We've been hearing rumors that there is may have already

been a call. We don't understand that that is the case, by the way, Christina.

We understand that the call between Nicolas Maduro and Donald Trump is yet to happen if indeed it will eventually happen, but at the same time, Donald

Trump once again opening the door to a possible military action inside Venezuela doesn't certainly bode well for the government here.

MACFARLANE: Yes. That -- that call been talked about for some time. We'll wait to see if it materializes.

Stefano, appreciate it. Thanks.

Syria is calling an Israeli raid on a village in the south of the country a war crime after at least 13 people were killed. The IDF released the

following body camp footage of the attack carried out in darkness. We wanted to warn you, the video is disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(GUNSHOTS)

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MACFARLANE: The footage shows Israeli troops firing bursts of gunfire across the village road. Damascus is calling the raid, quote, savage and

deliberate. Israel says the attack was aimed at capturing members of a Lebanese militant group.

CNN's Nic Robertson is joining us now from Jerusalem. So, Nic, Syria says this raid actually killed women and children. What is Israel saying?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes. The video really appears to show houses right in the center of that town that have been

damaged the gun battle perhaps raging inside the town and -- and as they left outside as well.

The IDF showing video -- releasing video showing the airstrikes on targets. What we hear from it is Israeli officials is that this raid into Beit Jinn

is something they sort of been doing in that area on a weekly basis.

[12:15:06]

They say they were going there after a couple of terrorists. They accuse of -- of targeting Israeli troops from Jamaa Islamiya.

And they also say that the reason for going there is to protect the Israeli homeland from threats inside of Syria, and that this was an arrest

operation.

But what appears to have happened is when they have detained the men, and they release video body camera footage of detaining these two men, then

they came under extensive fire. So extensive. That's when the IDF decided to call in airstrikes, because they're operating way beyond the borders of

-- of Israel.

The airstrikes killing 13 people, it appears, and -- and injuring more than 20 others, is the biggest incident of this type since the -- since the

current Syrian president came to power, and is a significant incident when things back of the -- of the time in Damascus several months ago, when

Israel dropped munitions right in the center of Damascus to try to sort of highlight another ongoing operation in a Syrian village where Israeli

forces were -- were supporting Druze militia there.

So this is the biggest incident, even including that. And that was a very sort of serious diplomatic incident. So it's not quite clear what's going

to happen from this.

But from an Israeli perspective, they -- they say that this was for them a counter-terrorism operation, clearly very deadly, very dangerous for the

residents of that very small Syrian village.

MACFARLANE: Indeed, Nic Robertson there from Jerusalem. Thanks, Nic.

Now the Pope is condemning violence in the name of religion, as he continues his first official overseas visit.

These were the scenes in Istanbul, where Pope Leo visited the nursing home of the Little Sisters of the Poor. The Pope also travelled to the town of

Iznik in the northwest of Turkey, taking part in celebrations for the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, a landmark meeting in

Christianity. That's where he delivered his message of unity and dialogue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POPE LEO, HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: We must strongly reject the use of religion for justifying war, violence, or any form of fundamentalism or

fanaticism. Instead, the paths to follow are those of fraternal encounter, dialogue, and cooperation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: And quite fitting for an American Pope, Pope Leo blessed the fountain stone of St. Augustine's Church in Pleasant Grove, which is

located in Dallas. The Pope will travel to Lebanon over the weekend.

OK. Coming up, the latest on the investigation into the deadly shooting near the White House. A live report from Washington, D.C., ahead.

And Thanksgiving is over, but it's not the end of Turkey Day. We look at how Americans are reveling in the joy of leftovers.

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[12:20:03]

MACFARLANE: U.S. President Donald Trump is doubling down on his immigration policy after an ambush-style attack in Washington, D.C. A vigil was held

for the victims, two members of the National Guard who were shot near the White House on Wednesday. One of them has since died.

U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, seen here on the right, was 20 years old. The other National Guard member is fighting for his life. 24-year-old

Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. CNN spoke to a neighbor of Wolfe.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL LANGONE, NEIGHBOR OF VICTIM WOLFE: He can get the shirt off his back to somebody. He's just really a good guy. We always looked out for

each other. Best neighbor you could ask for, really. And they really caught us off guard. Really close to home.

Just helpful for his family. That's the biggest thing. His family is the biggest concern. I just hope his family's doing OK with it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Well, we're learning more about the Afghan National accused in the shooting. The 29-year-old arrived in the U.S. in 2021 after working

with the CIA in Afghanistan. He was granted asylum in April by the Trump administration.

The U.S. Attorney for D.C. says the suspect will be charged with first- degree murder and could face other charges.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEANINE PIRRO, U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial

charges of assault to murder in the first-degree.

And we are hoping that the more information we can get and the more investigation that is going on, 24/7 now around the clock in Washington,

the more we will find out about what actually happened in terms of this individual even being in this country and being in a position to ambush and

shoot down an innocent young woman.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: And after the shooting, the U.S. President vowed to, quote, permanently pause migration from all so-called third-world countries.

In a social media post, Donald Trump also blamed the Biden administration, lashing out at a reporter who asked why.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: There was no vetting or anything. They came in un-vetted. And we have a lot of others in this country. We're going to get them out. But they

go cuckoo. Something happens to them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Actually, your DOJ I.G. just reported this year that there was thorough vetting by DHS and by the FBI of these Afghans who were

brought into the U.S.

So, why do you blame the Biden administration for what this man did?

TRUMP: Because they let them in. Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person? Because they came in on a plane along with thousands of other people that

shouldn't be here. And you're just asking questions because you're a stupid person.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: Well, the Trump administration now says it will re-examine all green cards issued to people from 19 countries.

Now, this week, both here on "One World" and around the world, we have marked the international day for the elimination of violence against women.

It's a day designated by the United Nations General Assembly. And on Tuesday, we saw the demonstrations in Mexico demanding an end to violence

against women.

And Italy's parliament marked the day by making femicide a crime punishable by life in prison. These images are from a protest from earlier this week.

In 2024 alone, Italy had at least 106 femicides defined by the U.N. as the intentional killing of women and girls because of their gender.

Swedish European Parliament member Abir Al-Sahlani is one of the most powerful voices backing efforts to prevent gender-based violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABIR AL-SAHLANI, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER, SWEDEN: Call out that friend's sexist joke. Challenge the lies. Call out --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

AL-SAHLANI: -- your uncle (BLEEP) opinions about women around the Christmas dinner table.

We stand in orange and we stand in fury. We are furious because still, women are controlled, beaten, raped, and murdered by men in the E.U.

[12:25:04]

Let me be very, very clear. This is not a woman's problem. Gender-based violence is a man's problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: And she joins me now. Abir, I have wanted to speak to you ever since I saw that clip earlier this week. That was so passionate, so

powerful.

So let's talk about what has happened this week, because as I was mentioning there, from now on in Italy, the murders of women killed for

misogynistic reasons will be defined as femicide. And this law will also make it easier to prove cases of male violence and will greatly improve

awareness.

So just how big a win is this, not just for the women of Italy, but for women everywhere?

AL-SAHLANI: Well, thank you for having me.

I just want to set out the scene where we as women rights defenders are operating. There is a 400 percent increase of victims to a woman and

children in armed conflict zones. There is an 85 percent increase of women and children being victims of sexual-related violence in armed and war

conflict zones.

And also, there is a -- a situation where women, after a humanitarian catastrophe, for example, like the earthquakes in Afghanistan, are not even

considered to be worthy of saving simply because their bodies are a female body.

So this is the scene where we are operating. So, of course, when we have such a new legislation as the fourth country in the E.U. about the

femicide, we are -- we become very, very happy because this is a very important signal, not only to the women in Italy, but also for the rest of

the member states in the European Union that misogynistic motivated violence is not acceptable.

MACFARLANE: Yes. And it's so important, as you say, to remember the broader context in other countries where there is no spotlights on femicide

whatsoever.

But as you say, I mean, Italy remains only one of four countries to introduce a legal definition of femicide.

And as a member of the E.U. Parliament, as someone who has clearly spoken so passionately on the floor about the defense of violence against women,

what do you see as the obstruction to these laws becoming more widely adopted?

AL-SAHLANI: Well, first of all, it's, of course, the far-right narrative that this is a migration-related violence. As if white Christian European

men never raped, as if when a white Christian European man, when he hits a woman or tries to control her, it does less pain. So that is one of the

major obstacles.

The second issue is that the European Union is not a union of federal states. So there is national competence. And there is a division between

national competence and European competence.

And to some extent, when it comes to gender-based violence, some of the issues there are to be considered of pure national competence, but I don't

see actually any obstacles for why not also having a European approach to it, as it is so widely spread also within the European member states.

MACFARLANE: And you said in your speech that gender-based violence is a male problem, and that the culture of respect begins at home.

Can we just end? Because I know we're running out of time, sadly, on your thoughts and your message to men and women about what we can do to raise

our voices better to protect women.

AL-SAHLANI: You know, I'm so sick and tired of men saying, but it's not me. It's someone else. It's always somebody else's problem, but we know that

fathers are those who are setting the norms for their sons.

We know that the football trainer is the one who sets the norm in the locker room when they have their trainings. We know that in school the --

you know, what -- what's going on there, it is set by the male role model.

So, having people who are misogynist men and justifying their shitty opinions, I'm sorry for my language, about women in 2025, it's so lame. And

I'm so tired of this blaming women because still, when a woman reports rape, she's still asked by the police, how much did you drink? And how

short was your skirt? While it is the man who actually made the choice to rape her to violate her body.

[12:30:01]

So, it is high time that men took their responsibility and to actively choose to build safety over the saying in their comfort zone because they

don't want to make their friends upset when they call out this sexist joke and to choose actively to build respect over dominance. It's enough now.

MACFARLANE: Abir Al-Sahlani, we appreciate you speaking to us and we appreciate your passion on this issue. Thank you.

Now, it is the worst flooding in Southeast Asia in recent years. At least 321 people have died after Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia suffered a

week of cyclone-fueled torrential rain.

On Indonesia's badly hit Sumatra Island, 174 people were confirmed dead on Friday by authorities. While the rain has eased, thousands of families have

been displaced, facing water levels of over one meter.

Meanwhile, the Thai government reported at least 145 deaths and more than 3.5 million people affected in the country's south. Residents were left

clinging to rooftops as they awaited boat rescues.

Heavy rains are not unusual there, but climate change has affected storm patterns leading to flash flooding and stronger winds.

OK. Coming up, Thanksgiving has been and gone, which means one thing for bargain hunters, Black Friday. We look at how many Americans are expected

to turn out.

Plus.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OLSZEWSKI: I have been obsessed with Christmas my entire life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MACFARLANE: How one woman's love of the holiday support her from Idaho to Washington with one goal in mind, dressing up the Oval Office in Christmas

cheer. We'll have her story after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:35:23]

MACFARLANE: Welcome back to "One World." I'm Christina Macfarlane.

Now, if you've been anywhere near a high street or even just clicked online, it won't escape to you that it is Black Friday. And while many are

record crowds are expected to turn out for the sales at these bargain hunters that Macy's in New York, consumers are expected to spend

significantly less in total.

An estimated 130 million people are expected to shop on Black Friday. Harry Enten has more on what retailers can expect this year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: This is, of course, the day after Thanksgiving. And like anything else here in America, when we go big, we go

big. Otherwise, you go home.

Of course, how many people are fortunate enough, such as ourselves to actually be working this Black Friday versus how many people are out there

shopping in the malls?

Well, let's take a look here. Get this. A paid day off on Black Friday among those who get paid days off. Look at this. We got 43 percent say,

yes, I get off today, and I'm paid to do so compared to 57 percent who are like ourselves. No, we don't get this day off.

Of course, part of this 57 percent may say, you know what, screw it. We're going to take the day off anyway. But what we're talking about here is the

majority of folks like myself, like yourself, who do not in fact get a paid day off today on Black Friday.

Now, of course, I mention the shopping. And this is a big reason why I avoid the malls on the day after Thanksgiving on Black Friday because I

hate the mobs. I'd rather go to a luncheonette and pump some money into the economy.

Well, take a look here, projected holiday shoppers on the upper end. Look at this on Black Friday. We're talking about 130 million Americans who may

be out there shopping today, whether it be online or in person.

I personally prefer doing my shopping online. I can't stand the crowds as I think I've mentioned a number of times so far in this segment.

But I prefer actually Cyber Monday. That, of course, is when you go online and you buy your Christmas, your Hanukkah, your holiday gifts. We're

talking about 74 million Americans who are projected to, in fact, be shopping on Cyber Monday.

I will be one of them. Maybe I'll get you a gift. Maybe I'll get my girlfriend a gift. Maybe I'll even get my mother a gift. Of course, we'll

have to wait and see how that relationship develops.

Now, I have a good relationship with my mother. You don't have to worry about that. But I'll be one of the 74 million Americans shopping on Cyber

Monday come this Monday. Much bigger fan of that than Black Friday.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: And as families across the U.S. get ready to put up their Christmas tree and gussy up their homes, welcome the holiday spirit, gussy.

This woman from Idaho is gearing up to decorate the most important house of all, the White House.

Brady Caskey has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OLSZEWSKI: I have been obsessed with Christmas my entire life.

BRADY CASKEY, KIVI-TV REPORTER: For Angie Olszewski, that's no exaggeration. She absolutely loves the holidays with six Christmas trees

spread throughout her home.

OLSZEWSKI: It reminds me of some of my most favorite things.

CASKEY: She goes all out every year at her house, but she wanted to take her decorating game to the next level, decorating the White House.

OLSZEWSKI: This is something that I've wanted for a long time. I heard about it probably when I was in high school. I had a friend who had a

family member who did it.

CASKEY: So she submitted a 10-page questionnaire about her experience and skills decorating for Christmas. And after a decade of trying, she finally

received this letter in her mailbox.

OLSZEWSKI: This is the real deal. I am part of the White House Christmas decorating team.

CASKEY: She is among 300 volunteers from across the country chosen to put their skills to work. And each team is committed to 10-hour days, all in

the name of Christmas decorating.

OLSZEWSKI: There's going to be a lot of tying of ribbons, a lot of bobbles, a lot of glitter. We'll decorate everything from the Oval Office into the

Grand Corridor. So it's going to be really fun, really exciting.

CASKEY: Angie also says she's likely the only Idahoan on the team this year, making the experience even more meaningful.

OLSZEWSKI: Decorating a tree or multiple trees in this case is going to be probably the ultimate bucket list item.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MACFARLANE: Can't wait to see what she rustles up.

And that does it for this edition of "One World." I'm Christina Macfarlane. Thank you so much for joining us for the past two hours. "Marketplace

Africa" is up next.

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(MARKETPLACE AFRICA)

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