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CNN Headlines: Trump: Iran Forces Could Be "Blown Off The Face Of The Earth" As Tehran Strikes UAE; Antisemitic Graffiti Found On Several Synagogues And Homes In New York City; Secret Service Shoots Man Accused Of Firing At Agents. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired May 05, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:31:23]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories.
In the war with Iran, Iran striking back against President Trump's effort to guide commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz by targeting the UAE triggering a major fire at an oil port. The president warns that Iranian forces would be "blown off the face of the Earth" if they target U.S. ships.
And health officials are working to evacuate two people believed to have hantavirus on a cruise ship. Three people have already died in the suspected outbreak and several others are sick. There are about 150 people on the ship that's docked off of West Africa's coast. Those on board are not being allowed to leave while the World Health Organization investigates.
And former New York City mayor Rudy Guiliani is breathing on his own after being hospitalized for pneumonia over the weekend. His spokesperson says that he remains in critical condition, and he added that the 81-year-old was previously diagnosed with a restrictive airway disease after being at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11.
Let's return here to our stop story. A volatile situation unfolding this morning in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump's effort to ease and -- use the U.S. military to guide commercial ships through the vital waterway is putting the ceasefire to the test here. Now many shipping executives remain wary of sending cargo through the strait.
CNN's Eleni Giokos joins us from Dubai with more on this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So there's not much movement today and I've reached out to both Kpler and Lloyd's to get sort of a sense of the appetite from shippers but all the messaging we're getting right now is that it's majorly confusing for shippers. They don't feel secure to cross the strait. The threat is still very much a reality. And, you know, Lloyd's really pointed out there were over four vessels
that have been hit since Sunday in the Strait of Hormuz which, of course, just shows how dangerous it still is despite the fact that you've got two U.S. destroyers that have now transited the strait saying that they're going to help guide the vessels. Remember, this isn't an escort mission according to the Trump administration but rather a humanitarian mission to help guide vessels.
And they were trying to sort of allay fears by saying there were two U.S.-flagged vessels that transited the strait yesterday. Kpler says they couldn't see any of the tracking data because both of those vessels had their AIS turned off. So that's really important.
But then taking a wider view, the Fujairah industrial oil zone that was targeted yesterday by an Iranian drone that resulted in a fire and injuries of three Indian nationals -- this isn't the first time we've seen a Fujairah oil terminal that has been targeted. And this is a release valve for a lot of the oil that is produced it the UAE to circumvent the Strait of Hormuz and then get into the Gulf of Oman.
And I think a very clear message which was seen frankly since the start of the war, the targeting -- the consistent targeting of critical energy infrastructure here in the UAE and also across the region. You've got 12 million barrels of oil that are shut in daily right now because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: New York City police are searching for at least four suspects after swastikas were spraypainted on synagogues, homes, and a car in Queens. Surveillance shows the group running from a Jewish center as investigators call it a targeted act of antisemitic vandalism. City leaders are condemning the incidents.
[05:35:00]
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JULIE MENIN, SPEAKER OF NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL, 5TH DISTRICT: When we see swastikas or when we see antisemitic graffiti we must do more on the educational front to combat this kind of hate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Police are searching for the individuals responsible for spray-painting swastikas and other antisemitic graffiti on several synagogues and homes in Queens.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The swastika actually touches a plague which says, "In memory of the congregations who gave their lives for the sanctification of the divine name." It means in memory of Jews who were murdered because they're Jewish.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Antisemitic incidents in the United States reached the highest levels in 2024 since the Anti-Defamation League began tracking the data in 1979.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the incidents in a post to X, saying, "This is not just vandalism. It is a deliberate act of antisemitic hatred meant to instill fear. I stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors. Their safety, dignity, and belonging are non- negotiable."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Prosecutors in California have outlined a possible motive for the man suspected of igniting the deadly and destructive Pacific Palisades fire in January of last year. According to the Associated Press, prosecutors believe that suspect Jonathan Rinderknecht was apparently upset he didn't have plans for New Year's Eve and had ranted about being angry with the world, including those with a lot of money. You may recall the fire ravaged Pacific Palisades as well as parts of Malibu and killed 12 people. The accused will go on trial June 8 and has not pleaded -- and has pleaded not guilty, rather.
Investigators are trying to figure out why a man opened fire near the Washington Monument yesterday. Authorities say that the suspect shot at Secret Service agents and agents fired back wounding the man. Now the focus shifts to motive, including whether he tried to get close to a White House entrance.
CNN's Brian Todd tracking the story for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: According to the Secret Service, the shooting incident occurred roughly around 3:30 p.m. Eastern time on Monday when the suspect, according to Matthew Quinn, deputy Secret Service director. He said the suspect was spotted near the White House complex, which is just down that way a couple of blocks beyond those trees. According to Matthew Quinn, the suspect was spotted near the White House complex with what Quinn called "a visual imprint of a weapon."
The suspect then fled this way -- coming up this way. This is 15th Street in the district -- coming up toward Independence Avenue where we are here. At this point, according to Matthew Quinn from the Secret Service, the suspect withdrew a weapon and fired at officers. The Secret Service officers fired back, engaged him, and wounded him.
Also though, according to Matthew Quinn from the Secret Service, there was a bystander who was hit in the crossfire. The bystander is a juvenile. That's all we know about the identity of the bystander. But Matthew Quinn says that person has non-life-threatening injuries. I was separately told by an official with the Metropolitan Washington Police that the suspect -- that the bystander suffered a graze wound and has non-life-threatening injuries.
But this is where the scene ended -- where the suspect was actually shot at by uniformed Secret Service officers and wounded right about there.
Matthew Quinn, from the Secret Service, says that shortly before this incident occurred Vice President JD Vance's motorcade was traveling through this intersection. Vance was in the motorcade. And I asked Matthew Quinn if this could be interpreted at all as a possible attack on the motorcade. He said, no, he did not believe that was the case.
But you did have a shooting here with a suspect who was identified with a weapon. He was first spotted by plain clothed Secret Service officers near the White House complex. He fled on foot briefly, then withdrew his weapon and fired at officers. And he was hit right about this area and wounded and transported to the hospital.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
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SMITH: Firefighters in Arizona are racing to get a handle on a fast- moving wildfire with zero containment. It's dubbed the Hazen Fire, and it has now grown to nearly 1,000 acres just west of Buckeye. That's about 30 miles from Phoenix. Officials say thick brush and dry conditions are making this a tough fight. People in the area are urged to stay inside, limit time outdoors, and keep windows and doors closed to protect the air in their homes.
Let's get to our meteorologist Chris Warren. Chris, what are you watching with this fire right now, and is there any rain on the way?
CHRIS WARREN, AMS METEOROLOGIST: There's rain in the neighborhood but whether or not it's going to stop by remains to be seen, Brad. Here's Phoenix -- the fire burning right over here -- and you can see the rain is just so very close right now and just some scattered showers around. It's going to be just a chance for some rain, but every raindrop will help if we can get some.
The rain we're seeing right now lighting up the sky with lightning in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. This is where there's the threat for some strong storms today. Could see a tornado but more likely large hail and damaging winds.
[05:40:06]
As these storms fire, they're going to be on and off essentially throughout the day and overnight. This is 2:30 in the morning tonight so overnight into Wednesday. Storms push through and eventually get through Birmingham into Atlanta late on Wednesday going into Thursday.
Once again seeing that threat for some of the stronger storms, Brad, here with some strong winds and some large hail Wednesday for some of the same areas where we're going to see it today and tonight.
SMITH: All right, getting my jacket ready. Thanks, Chris.
Time for Buzz Express -- the stories that have people talking.
The stars showed up and showed out for one of fashion's biggest nights, the Met Gala in New York. Attendees were encouraged to express their own relationship to fashion as an embodied art form and perhaps nobody did it bigger than Beyonce, one of the event's co-chairs. She wore a silver skeleton gown and was accompanied by her daughter Blue Ivy. Seen there on the screen there is Beyonce and those shimmers. Now can you guess who was rocking this look? It is none other than
supermodel Heidi Klum, a Met Gala regular. Also there Madonna. She wore this witch-inspired translucent Saint Laurent black slip dress which, by the way, required several people to help hold it up.
As for the men, Bad Bunny was among the highlights. Yes, this is him despite looking much older. The 32-year-old walked the green carpet in his black suit by Zara complete with gray hair, a beard, and using a walking cane.
And "HEATED RIVALRY" star Connor Storrie made his Met Gala debut in a Saint Laurent suit and polka-dotted blouse.
CNN's Elex Michaelson chatted with longtime carpet-watcher Melissa Rivers who shined and who didn't at this year's Met Gala. They discussed.
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ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Doja Cat.
MELISSA RIVERS, TV HOST AND ACTRESS: Loved. YSL -- Yves Saint Laurent. It was latex and she was literally monochromatic from her hair to the makeup to the dress. And to try and drape latex like that --
MICHAELSON: Yeah.
RIVERS: -- is a real art.
MICHAELSON: Sabrina Carpenter.
RIVERS: Loved. Again, got the memo. So this was a nod to Audrey Hepburn. This was Dior -- film as art -- and the negatives are actually copies of the film "Sabrina."
MICHAELSON: Wow. And Anne Hathaway. You really liked her.
RIVERS: I loved her. Michael Kors. Again, got the memo. This is actually a canvas that was painted by a friend of Michael's, Peter McGough who -- I guess they went to art school together. And it's all about -- you know, was inspired by "Ode on a Grecian Urn." But to take an actual canvas is pretty spectacular.
MICHAELSON: She looks amazing.
Sarah Paulson.
RIVERS: OK. Sarah, I think, had an interesting -- you can read into this. She has a dollar bill as a mask and the theme for the dress was "Blinded by Money."
MICHAELSON: Wow.
RIVERS: Yeah. Kind of a little passive aggressive --
MICHAELSON: Yeah. RIVERS: -- you know. But again, she is making a real statement with that.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Turning from New York to Las Vegas. Dolly Parton has just canceled her residency there. In an Instagram post she said that her immune and digestive systems are "out of whack," adding her medical treatments are making her too dizzy to perform. Parton insists she is healing and appeared to tease some type of future performance, saying, "See you soon." We can't wait for that for sure.
Straight ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, if you fly Delta, you better make sure that you bring your own food and something to drink on short flights. That's if you can get it on the plane. We'll explain why later in the hour.
Stay with us.
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[05:48:20]
SMITH: Health officials are working to evacuate two people believed to have hantavirus on a cruise ship docked off of West Africa's coast. Three people have already died in the suspected outbreak and several others are sick. A British national was evacuated in critical condition and is being treated in Johannesburg.
But just how contagious is hantavirus? CNN's health reporter Jacqueline Howard has a breakdown.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: How contagious is hantavirus? Although three people aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, so far, have sadly died from it, person-to-person transmission is rare.
Hantavirus itself -- it can infect humans through exposure to rodents, like mice or rats, and this is especially when exposed to their urine or their droppings. It's suspected that's what happened last year when the late actor Gene Hackman's wife died from exposure to hantavirus. And only one hantavirus is known to have spread from person-to-person so again, this is rare.
The virus itself -- it can cause respiratory symptoms at first similar to the flu. It's estimated that about 38 percent of people who develop respiratory symptoms may die from the disease. And the CDC recommends that people seek emergency care immediately because the disease can advance rapidly.
And there is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. The best protection is to avoid contact with rodents and to be safe when cleaning up rodent habitats or droppings, like make sure you wear a mask and gloves.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[05:50:00]
SMITH: Let's go around the globe to see what else is making headlines.
Disturbing video from Brazil where a small plane crashed into a building on Monday. The fire department said the pilot and co-pilot were killed along with one passenger. Two other passengers are hospitalized in serious condition.
And in China a pair of tiny lion cubs quickly became the main attraction at a zoo in the Shandong province. You can see the cubs playing with toys and curled up on visitors' laps just soaking up all the attention. Something tells me that they're just fine and waiting to see who will be king.
Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, a recall to tell you about. It's a baby formula sold on Amazon and at Meijer's stores. We've got those details coming up.
Plus, imagine finding a total stranger living in your basement. It happened to one couple. We've got that bizarre story coming up.
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[05:55:20]
SMITH: So long to the cookies and the in-flight bevies on some of those Delta routes. Delta says that starting May 19 it will stop all food and beverage service on shorter flights. Service will continue on flights of 350 miles or more for Delta Comfort and main cabin passengers.
A heads-up for parents out there. The A2 Milk Company recalling their infant formula after detecting a toxin. Maribel Aber joins us from the Nasdaq market site with that and the rest of your top Money Express headlines. Hey, Maribel.
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: Hey, Brad.
So baby formula sold primarily on Amazon is being recalled over contamination concerns. The New Zealand-based A2 Milk Company says its platinum premium infant formula may contain a heat-resistant bacterium. The toxin can cause nausea and other more severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The affected batches were sold between August of last year and this April. And lot numbers and refund details can be found on the FDA's website.
And many Capital One cardholders could get a check as part of a $425 million class action settlement. Court filings claim the bank allegedly misled customers about interest rates on certain accounts. Now Capital One denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid a trial. Eligible customers will receive a payment automatically in July. Those dollar amounts were not disclosed.
And refilling your own soda at McDonald's may soon be going away. Several industry sources are reporting that the fast-food chain is quietly phasing out self-serve drink stations. Some newer and remodeled locations have already moved to employee-handled refills at the counter. Now reports say the shift is aimed at cutting costs, improving inventory control, and keeping dining rooms cleaner. McDonald's hasn't confirmed the change.
Brad, I'm more of a self-serve barista at the movies.
SMITH: Uh, I agree with you. Take some control into your own hands on it.
Maribel Aber, thank you so much.
Let's get a check in on some of the other stories making news across the country.
We start in New York. This fire that you're seeing here broke out at a historic Broadway theater that's where the "Book of Mormon" is playing. Authorities say it started Monday in the electrical room. One firefighter had minor injuries. No word on what started it, but the theater canceled today's and tomorrow's show out of an abundance of caution.
And now to a wild story out of Arkansas after a family found a stranger living inside their basement. Affiliate KTHV has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CARTER THWEATT, REPORTER, KTHV: University professor Dutch Hoggatt thought something was off.
DUTCH HOGGATT, HARDING UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, FOUND STRANGER LIVING IN BASEMENT: We noticed that chairs had been moved around in the house. We noticed that some of our food was missing.
THWEATT: He and his wife shared their concerns with their daughter Cherisee and son-in-law Mark.
CHERISEE GREGORY, DAUGHTER: I think they thought they were both going crazy and I'm like that's not -- that doesn't happen at the same time, suddenly.
THWEATT: While Dutch was at church, Cherisee, Mark and Dutch's wife Sharon started searching the house. Sharon went in first.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She went further into the closet and that's when I saw her eyes get really big and she starts to back out and she says, "There's someone in there! I see their leg or their jeans or something."
THWEATT: It was an intruder -- a man who said he was homeless who left the house and was promptly arrested.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I could tell he wasn't really a threat, but I had him step outside and then I sat him down and I just talked to him for a little while until the police came. THWEATT: The man's story was a wild one. He said he first entered through the home's crawlspace.
And he was here for how long do you all think?
HOGGATT: Well, probably one night.
THWEATT: Before making his way into the basement sometime Tuesday morning and staying through Wednesday evening, forming a makeshift bed deep in a storage closet underneath the stairs.
The family says they feel more empathy than anger.
HOGGATT: We're not angry at this man. I feel sorry for the man. It just -- I'm glad we figured out there was somebody living in the house because this could have gone on for much longer than it did.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think he was trying to be a bad guy. There are plenty of opportunities where he could have, you know, taken things. It seemed like he was just trying to get out of the elements and trying to survive.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Our thanks to affiliate KTHV for that report.
In Missouri, at least three people got trapped when an ATM at a bank drive-thru -- it collapsed on multiple cars. Now investigators say that three cars were pinned under the debris on Monday. One person went to the hospital. Authorities are looking into why the roof collapsed.
And a huge bear is seen just casually wandering around a neighborhood in California. People say it showed up in backyards, near pets, and even close to a school. Wildlife officials tranquilized the bear, which was seen laying on top of a brick wall. They put it in a trailer to be released back in the wild.
[06:00:08]
If you ever see me in the forest and I'm fighting with a grizzly bear, help the bear.
That does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
