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CNN Headlines: U.S., Iran Trade New Attacks Overnight; Political World Shocked By Sudden Death Of Longtime Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham; Largest Housing Affordability in Decades Becomes Law Without Trump's Signature. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired July 13, 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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[05:31:00]
BRIAN ABEL, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's check our top stories.
We're tracking new developments overseas. The U.S. and Iran trading a volley of strikes overnight in the fight over the control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claims to have launched drones targeting American forces in the Gulf. That attack comes just hours after the U.S. launched a new wave of attacks in southern Iran late Sunday night.
Senator Lindsey Graham's sudden death sending shockwaves through Capitol Hill. The South Carolina Republican died over the weekend shortly after returning from an overseas trip to Ukraine where he championed a new sanctions package on Russia. Graham's office says he died of complications from cardiovascular disease. He was 71 years old.
And a bipartisan bill that aims to tackle housing affordability officially became law early Saturday despite a series of attempts by President Donald Trump to stall the legislation. Trump had previously expressed support for it, but he has since turned critical. In a social media post Friday Trump said he refused to sign it in protest of the Senate's failure to pass the Save America Act.
And back to our top story this morning, the exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran. CNN's Paula Hancocks has more from Abu Dhabi.
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PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now we've heard from Iran specifying exactly what they claim that they have targeted, saying that it was U.S. military infrastructure in a number of different Gulf nations. They claim that they have achieved significant damage in both Bahrain and Kuwait. That's not what we've heard from the U.S. side at this point, although we're waiting to hear what Central Command says about that.
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ABEL: And turning back now to the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Politicians in the U.S. and across the world are paying tribute to the longtime South Carolina Republican as we learn more about his death. According to Graham's communications director, a preliminary finding from the medical examiner show the 71-year-old died following complications from cardiovascular disease.
The longtime South Carolina Republican passed away Saturday night shortly after returning from a visit to Ukraine.
President Trump is among those remembering Graham, calling his death a terrible loss. The late senator was once a Trump critic before becoming one of his fiercest advocates.
Trump told CNN's Jake Tapper that he woke with Graham shortly before he died.
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JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: Mr. President, thank you so much for joining us. Obviously, quite a shock. The senator was a close ally of yours. He referred to himself as your north star, the Trump guy in the Senate.
What are your thoughts about Lindsey Graham this morning?
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, it's devastating. I thought he was fine. He called me last night. He just got back from Ukraine, and he had a great trip. He was telling me about the trip. He was pushing very, very hard. You probably know he wanted to do the Save America Act, and he was talking about that. He was full of vim and vigor.
He was tired. He said, "I'm tired" because it's a long trip. But other than that he was -- he was fine. And he called me I guess just moments before because he called me, like, at 6:30 or something and the medical people got there a little bit later right after that.
What a -- what a terrible loss it is. He's a great politician. He was a natural. There are very few of them. He was a natural politician. He got along with everybody. When he didn't, he was very tough. You know, he was a tough cookie, too, but he got along with everybody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABEL: The Senate will be back in session on Capitol Hill this morning where flags are being flown at half-staff in his honor.
CNN's Jeff Zeleny has more.
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JEFF ZELENY, CNN NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: The Senate returns to Washington on Monday morning -- one of its own. The loss of Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina who died overnight Saturday into Sunday of what his office called a brief and sudden illness. Now this is a shocking development to all of Washington and, indeed, to the White House. He was one of the most loyal allies of the president.
[05:35:00]
But Sen. Graham's office, on Sunday, gave a little more information about what led to this untimely and sudden death. They said the preliminary findings from the medical examiner said that it was related to aortic dissection due to cardiovascular disease.
The senator's office went on to say this. "The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death."
So many senators are now just beginning to take stock of what this will mean going forward. There was no one really who embodied the transformation of the Republican Party from the Bush era to the Trump era more than Lindsey Graham. Of course, he was a fierce critic but then became a loyal defender of the president. He's also the chairman of the budget committee and there are very -- there's a very slim majority in the Senate, of course.
So this week was also scheduled to be the confirmation hearing for the attorney general Todd Blanche. Of course, Sen. Lindsey Graham is a top support of him. Now Republicans will be looking for -- to hold all the ranks there -- they cannot lose a single vote on that -- as well as defense spending measures as well.
So even as the Senate is grieving Sen. Lindsey Graham, some senators are calling on the Senate to pass sanctions again to Russia in his name -- in his honor. Of course, he was traveling in Ukraine and then returned to Washington when this happened. That remains an open question.
But from the White House to Capitol Hill, and certainly to South Carolina, the grieving for Sen. Lindsey Graham continues even as South Carolina officials are looking ahead and likely having a special election for -- to fill his primary seat in just three weeks.
Jeff Zeleny, CNN, Washington.
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ABEL: Police in Toronto are looking for the people responsible for a deadly mass shooting at Canada's largest Latin street festival. They say at least two shooters opened fire around a crowd of about 13,000 people, killing two and injuring several others.
CNN's Gloria Pazmino has the latest.
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GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right. It was supposed to be, you know, another summertime activity like so many that we see during this time of the year. This was one of the largest celebrations of Latin culture in Toronto. This festival takes place every year. There were thousands of people in attendance.
But police say two people were killed and several others were injured when at least two people opened fire against each other. You see people just running for their lives in some of that video when gunshots rang out.
Now, what we know is that at least six people were shot, including the two people who were pronounced dead, who were men. And police say that four of the injured victims were taken to hospitals with serious injuries.
We also know that police have been able to establish three different crimes scenes. They are in the process of investigating. They have also recovered two firearms and they're continuing to look for suspects. Take a listen.
DEPUTY CHIEF FRANK BARREDO, TORONTO POLICE SERVICE: There were people that were injured, there were people that were down, and there was a lot of activity and a lot of frontline responders that quickly went into action. Two males, since that incident began, have been pronounced dead. Another four individuals have been transported to local hospitals with serious injuries. Two firearms were recovered at the scene. This was a very active and chaotic scene at times.
PAZMINO: Now while police have said that there is no ongoing threat to the public, the festival organizers have decided to cancel the remainder of the events. More events were scheduled to take place on Sunday but because the investigation is still ongoing the festival decided to cancel so that police can continue the investigation as they continue to look for multiple suspects.
Gloria Pazmino, CNN, New York.
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ABEL: The teen charged in a high school shooting in Georgia is expected to change his plea to guilty. Court documents show 16-year- old Colt Gray is scheduled for a plea and sentencing hearing later this month. He faces 55 charges, including murder, in the deaths of two students and two teachers. His trial had been set for October.
Gray's father, Colin, was convicted of murder and manslaughter after buying his son the rifle that was used. He is also set to be sentenced later this month.
The fatal shooting of a Mexican immigrant by an ICE agent is prompting protests across Texas. Hundreds gathered outside Houston's city hall on Sunday demanding an independent investigation into the killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. ICE officials say he rammed a law enforcement vehicle with his van and refused to follow officers' verbal commands, but the other men who were in the van that morning strongly deny those claims.
[05:40:00] CNN's Carolina Peguero reports.
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CAROLINA PEGUERO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's almost been a week since Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent just a few steps from where I'm standing here, but also where community members continue to show their love and support as this memorial site continues to grow. And many are still seeking answers.
Strikingly different accounts as well from ICE and the other passengers in Salgado Araujo's van. In terms of the investigation, ICE says that DHS office of the inspector general is leading efforts to review what happened. The FBI's Houston office and local police are also investigating, but there has been no update since Friday. They only have shared the federal agencies are resisting collaboration.
We went door-to-door to the local businesses and houses here in the east end of Houston to see ourselves if we could obtain any information, surveillance footage or cellphone video of the incidents, while residents and business owners say they have seen detectives in the area.
REP. SYLVIA GARCIA (D-TX): Only Mr. Salgado said that the FBI -- someone from the FBI has come to talk to them -- to him. I asked him if there were any questions that might be about this alleged assault to an agent and he was just what? None of us ever touched them.
PEGUERO: And Congresswoman Garcia visited two of the three men that were with Salgado Araujo in the van when he was shot. She met with them at the detention center where they are being held and shared their accounts.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We shouldn't wait for something like to happen. I'm here because I come from mixed status family and this could happen to my cousin, my uncle, my dad. And, you know, I do want Houston to touch his heart and realize that it could be any of us.
PEGUERO: And for now, we now that a local civil rights group, as well as the family, are seeking an independent autopsy and accountability.
Carolina Peguero, CNN, Houston.
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ABEL: In just two weeks, Maine Democrats will pick a new candidate to replace Graham Platner after he bowed out of the Senate race last week. A convention has been scheduled for July 25 to select a new candidate. That person will face off with Republican incumbent Susan Collins. The race could help Dems take control of the Senate.
Platner had faced several scandals, but he ultimately ended his campaign after recent allegations of sexual assault, which he denies.
And happening today, President Trump is set to welcome IndyCar drivers to the White House ahead of next month's Washington, D.C. Grand Prix. The street race is scheduled for August 22 and 23 where drivers will race through the streets of the nation's capital. It's part of events organized by Freedom 250, celebrating America's 250th birthday.
The World Cup is down to the final four and for the first time all fur semifinalists are at the top of the world rankings. France will face Spain on Tuesday in the matchup between a powerful French attack and a Spanish defense that has allowed just a single goal this tournament. Then on Wednesday, one of soccer's biggest rivalries takes centerstage as defending champion Argentina battles England for a spot in the final.
It is time for Buzz Express, the stories that have people talking.
And first up, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is spilling the tea on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding. He revealed just how much money they paid for a permit to get married at Madison Square Garden.
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MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI, (D) NEW YORK CITY: Taylor Swift will be paying -- has paid already the cost of the permit that was lodged, which was over $160,000 for that event and for the response to that event. And that was a permit that was finalized I think in just the days before the event itself.
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ABEL: We are still waiting for many of the other wedding details to come out.
A new "Cheetah Girls" movie is set to premiere on the Disney channel and Disney+. It introduces the next generation of the popular singing group. The original members are also expected to make a cameo appearance, and filming will start later this month.
Disney's live-action remake of "Moana" had a rocky start at the box office. The movie debuted at $43 million, which is a bit short of the targeted goal of $60 million-plus. Moana's production budget was worth $250 million.
All right, spoiler alert. I just wanted to give you all "Love Island" fans a heads up. We now have the season's winners. This is probably all over your social feeds. Tune me out if you don't want to know -- earmuffs. But the audience chose Bryce and Trinity, and the show posted this message from them.
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BRYCE DETTLOFF, WINNER, "LOVE ISLAND USA": Thank you, America, so much.
TRINITY TATUM, WINNER, "LOVE ISLAND USA": Thank you.
DETTLOFF: Oh my God. I'm so happy right now. It's just crazy.
TATUM: I'm so glad. DETTLOFF: I feel like I'm living in a dream right now. This is insane.
TATUM: Thank you, guys.
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[05:45:00]
ABEL: And their earnings for taking home the top prize, $100,000.
And the finale was all set here for -- full of celebrities who are fans. Demi Lovato, Lizzo, Druski, Sombr, Cierra, and Kehlani all sending in video messages saying things like "You guys made this summer so much fun." Man, everybody was talking about that show.
And next on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, an absolutely frightening scene at this pub here when a massive fire engulfs the entire bar claiming the lives of more than two dozen people.
And a window breaks open on a plane midair, sucking a passenger partially out of the cabin. That shocking story is coming up.
Stay with us. You're watching CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:50:15]
ABEL: Well, let's go around the globe starting in Thailand. At least 27 people are dead and dozens more wounded after a fire tore through a popular pub in Bangkok early this morning. Officials say the blaze was reported around midnight and according to Thailand's prime minister, many of the victims were found in restrooms at the back of the building. The cause of that fire is under investigation.
And fire crews are battling a wildfire south of Paris. Authorities closing down a major highway to contain the flames, which have spread into a nearby forest. Officials say the fire could continue to burn for several days.
And Cuba suffers its second nationwide blackout in less than a week. The country's energy minister insists that restoration efforts are underway after Friday's power grid collapse. Havana points to the U.S. for the ongoing energy crisis. Washington's embargo on Cuba's top oil suppliers has caused severe fuel shortages for power generation and for vehicles.
The annual running of the bulls happened on Sunday in Spain. Nine runners were injured and eight of them were taken to the hospital. The iconic festival -- it attracts thousands of spectators each year. The bulls finished their run in two minutes and 23 seconds.
OK, this next story is absolutely terrifying. Passengers had to hold a man down on a flight to Germany after he was partially sucked out of the plane's window midair.
CNN's Pete Muntean reports.
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PETE MUNTEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Imagine the terror of being sucked out of a commercial plane at 16,000 feet. It's exactly what happened to a 60-year-old man on a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany. In this video shown by Greek media, the window is totally gone. Thankfully, he survived his injuries and passengers were able to pull him back into the plane. Oxygen masks dropped from overhead and the pilots made an emergency return back to Thessaloniki in Greece.
The investigation here will reveal some pretty big details. There are some big questions about why this window broke. Greek state media is reporting preliminary details that part of this Boeing 737's engine broke and struck the side of the fuselage causing this window to break and for this man to be partially sucked out of the plane. That is yet to be confirmed.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board in the United States are assisting with this investigation. Of course, they will also want to know about the maintenance records of this plane.
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ABEL: Pete Muntean, thank you.
Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS --
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NYPD rescuing woman clinging to wooden piling in water.
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ABEL: This dramatic rescue. Officers jumping in to save a woman clinging to a piling in the water.
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[05:57:32]
ABEL: In today's Money Express a bipartisan housing bill automatically became law over the weekend despite a series of attempts by President Trump to stall the legislation.
Maribel Aber joins us from the Nasdaq MarketSite with more details on this. Good morning, Maribel.
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: Hey, good morning, Brian.
So a bipartisan bill to make housing more affordable now law. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act took affect Saturday after President Trump declined to sign or veto it. The law aims to increase housing supply, lower construction costs, and expand home ownership. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle call it the most significant housing reform in decades.
Apple is suing OpenAI and two former Apple employees, accusing them of stealing trade secrets to help develop new AI devices. Apple claims OpenAI obtained confidential hardware information through former employees, recruiting efforts, and supplier relationships. OpenAI denies any wrongdoing. Apple is seeking undisclosed damages.
And there was no jackpot winner in Friday's Mega Millions drawing, pushing the top prize closer to $1 billion. Tuesday's drawing is worth an estimated $637 million with a cash option of $278 million before taxes. If there's a winner, lottery officials say it'll be the first jackpot over half a billion since last November.
Brian, you've got to be in it to win it.
ABEL: Whew, pretty penny.
Maribel Aber, thank you.
All right, let's get a check on other stories making news across the country, and we're going to start in New York with a video of a dramatic rescue by the NYPD. Look at this.
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NYPD rescuing woman clinging to wooden piling in water.
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ABEL: What you're seeing here is video of the New York Police Harbor Unit diving into a creek. They quickly found the woman in the murky water. She was clinging to a wooden piling. And that person was able -- the rescuer -- to get her back to shore to get checked out by medics.
In Florida, two men were arrested after deputies found for animals in the back of their hot U-Haul. The two say they were moving and put the animals in the U-Haul because their other vehicle felt too crowded. They were arrested for animal cruelty and later released on bond. The animals were taken for emergency treatment.
[06:00:00]
And finally, in California, the highway patrol has officially let its new members off the leash. Six new canines and their handlers just graduated after months of intense training. The new class includes Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherd, a German Shepherd, and CHP's first- ever Springer Spaniel.
That does it for us for -- here at HEADLINE EXPRESS. Thank you for being with us.
