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CNN Headlines: Netanyahu's Top Topics For Today's Sit-Down With Trump; Ex-Husband Describes Lindsay Clancy's Mental Health Struggles; Officials: France's Wildfires May Not Be Out For Months. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired July 28, 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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[05:31:05]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories here.
First, we've got to talk about a big meeting taking place. Washington, today, is going to see Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel both set to meet with President Trump separately at the White House this morning. All three will later attend the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham where Trump is expected to deliver remarks.
Nearly six months are her mother disappeared "TODAY" show host Savannah Guthrie posted a new video on social media. She says that her family will never stop looking for her mother Nancy. Authorities believe the 84-year-old was taken against her will from her Tucson home on February 1. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings are offering a $1 million reward for information on her whereabouts.
The man convicted of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022 says that he wants to take back his guilty plea and go to trial. Bryan Kohberger filed a post-conviction relief form in Idaho courts on Monday. He blamed his plea on false promises and wrong information. Kohberger was convicted last July and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig weighs in here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIE HONIG, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, FORMER ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK: It's not quite mathematically impossible that he succeeds but it's close. This is a thousand to one chance. Defendants plead guilty all the time and it's not at all uncommon for them to try to bail out at the end, and it almost never works.
Now, under Utah law there's a couple of ways that Kohberger can try to do this. One, he can claim that he's factually innocent, but that's ridiculous. There is DNA tying him to the scene. He admitted his guilt during the plea hearing that Jean just referenced. And the other way is to show that he was somehow deceived or coerced into pleading guilty. But the problem with that is when he pled guilty a few weeks ago the judge went through meticulously -- do you understand what you're doing? Have you met with your attorney? Have you been -- do you understand that you're waiving your right to a jury trial?
And so when you make a record like that it's really hard to come back and say no, I didn't actually understand what I'm doing. So I think this is an extreme longshot.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Elie.
CNN has reached out to Kohberger's legal team along with local and state prosecutors for comment. Anne Taylor, one of his attorneys, declined to do so.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington today and CNN's Nic Robertson explains what he's likely to bring up when he sits down with President Trump later today.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a lot he wants to talk with President Trump about, not least Iran. Just before leaving Israel he said it's his number one priority.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: (Speaking foreign language).
TEXT: Of course, our goal is to safeguard our security while also expanding the circle of peace around us.
ROBERTSON: So what does this mean? Well, breaking it down it means Iran remains a danger and he is not happy about where the U.S. president has parked the war.
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Iran took a beating over the last 14 days. And they asked us very nicely, please stop. Let's meet. And that's where we are right now.
ROBERTSON: Insofar its inconclusive semi-pause, with global oil prices hostage to Tehran's intransigence and Trump's inability to force the peace deal he wants, Netanyahu will likely be pushing Trump over what he sees as unfinished business -- Iran's nuclear ambitions, its ballistic missiles, and more. He may try to tempt Trump to greater action in Iran, with Israel's intelligence assessments expected to include Pickaxe Mountain and what nuclear riches Israel thinks Iran may have buried there.
[05:35:00]
It's Netanyahu's first visit since the war with Iran began late- February; his seventh since Trump became president again.
Relations between the pair appear outwardly warm and Netanyahu needs more of that on this trip. He goes to the polls in three months with his leadership at stake. But as many critics at home say he's broken the previously unshakeable bond between the countries of bipartisan U.S. support, a vital totem for any Israeli leader.
Netanyahu will also attend Lindsey Graham's funeral, whom he has described as a close personal friend of his and a friend of Israel.
He'll be in D.C. long enough to maybe rub shoulder with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who following his strike on an Iranian ship this past week has landed him and Ukraine firmly on Iran's potential hit list along with Israel.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Nic.
Well, President Trump is hoping to change American voters' deeply negative outlook on the economy ahead of November's midterm elections. He held a campaign-style speech at a General Motors site in the swing state of Michigan. He called Democrats communists and falsely claimed that they want to raise taxes to 80 percent.
The president says his success on investment, job creation, and tax cuts will soon be paying off.
TRUMP: You're going to see the results very soon. I'm a little bit upset because in 2 1/2 years you may have a different president -- may -- and that president will be saying how great the economy is doing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Trump also spoke about affordability issues, which he blamed on former President Biden.
Yesterday the Senate voted to advance Jay Clayton's nomination to be Director of National Intelligence. That sets up a final vote this evening. Some Democrats had initially supported Clayton's selection for the role but his answers about the 2020 election during his confirmation hearing, including his refusal to say Joe Biden won the 2020 election, has left them concerned.
Former FBI director James Comey wants a judge to dismiss the Justice Department's latest case against him. It was filed over this now year- old social media post where seashells spell out "8647." The number 86 often refers to getting rid of something and Donald Trump is the 47th president. Comey's attorneys say that there was no actual threat against the president. They argue the indictment "targets and chills core political speech."
The Justice Department had previously failed to bring a separate case against Comey. This latest one is set to go to trial in October.
Well, Patrick Clancy is expected back on the witness stand today after emotional testimony in the triple murder trial of his former wife Lindsay Clancy. As the prosecution's first witness he described her mental health struggles in the months before their three children were killed.
Reporter Sera Congi from our affiliate WCVB has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICK CLANCY, LINDSAY CLANCY'S EX-HUSBAND: She described thoughts of hurting the kids.
SERA CONGI, REPORTER, WCVB (voiceover): Patrick Clancy, the father of the three children killed, testifying about their mother's mental health struggle months before their deaths.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And she didn't describe that as hearing this external voice telling her to harm the kids, correct?
CLANCY: Correct.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She told you she was having intrusive thoughts herself of having -- of harming the children, correct?
CLANCY: Uh, correct.
CONGI (voiceover): Lindsay Clancy is accused of strangling her three children with exercise bands in January of 2023. Patrick becoming emotional when describing each child's interests.
CLANCY: Cora is into princesses. He's into firefighters and trucks. He was just a happy baby.
CONGI (voiceover): The prosecution also asked Clancy about several medications his wife was prescribed for mental health. Despite having multiple prescriptions prosecutors say Clancy had not actually taken many pills. One of the exhibits also showed a selfie Clancy took at the hospital before being admitted for mental health just weeks before the children's deaths.
On the same day of the murders both parents exchanged photos of the children, including 3-year-old Dawson proudly dressing himself for the first time. Patrick Clancy saying Lindsay, that day, seemed happy and in a good mood.
CLANCY: She was having one of her best days.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: That was Sera Congi reporting.
Lindsay Clancy has pleaded not guilty, arguing that she is not criminally responsible because of severe mental illness.
[05:40:00]
The son of a Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach has been arrested and charged with shooting his mother. Police say that 27-year-old Elijah Zion Bieniemy shot his mother Mia Bieniemy multiple times on Sunday at the family's home in Virginia. She is currently in stable condition, and her son is facing multiple charges, including malicious wounding.
This is the family of Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Now, the team's head coach Andy Reid spoke about the situation and here is what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY REID, HEAD COACH, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. I can't get into details on it, but things happen sometimes and Eric will work through it. He's got a great support group here, as is his family, as needed, and then we'll just let time take care of it from there. But Mia is stable, which is a plus, and so is Eric Jr. and that's all -- that's all important.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Eric Bieniemy's son is being held without bond.
Well, singer Carly Simon reveals that she's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after recently undergoing treatment for skin cancer. The 83-year-old tells the Associated Press that she's learning to live with the disease and her worsening mobility.
Despite the diagnosis Simon releasing her first album of original songs in nearly 20 years next month. It is titled "Comes in Waves." She says making it reminded her that "Illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life."
Well, it's time for Buzz Express, the stories that have people talking.
Ted Lasso fans, the wait is almost over for season four. Last night was the season four premiere in L.A. and the entire cast was there. Season four is set to premiere on Apple TV on August 5. And coach Ted Lasso has a new challenge. He is coaching women's soccer.
And the movie about Michael Jackson's life will be available to stream on Starz beginning August 10. "MICHAEL" has already made a billion dollars worldwide and it's considered the highest grossing biopic of all time, knocking "Bohemian Rhapsody" out of that spot.
And music legend Lionel Richie returning to the Las Vegas Strip for a limited engagement this fall. The 77-year-old will perform at the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas. He'll have six shows in October and November. Richie has performed more than 55 sold out shows at the theater since 2019. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
And a street in Robbins, Illinois is getting a championship-level makeover. The honor is all about where NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade started; not where he finished. City leaders have renamed the street where he grew up to Dwyane Wade Boulevard. The three-time NBA champion said it meant more to him than any trophy because it's the same pavement where he first chased his dreams. Congratulations, Dwyane.
Next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, a massive evacuation as dangerous wildfires burn out of control, and they could burn for months. We've got the details you need to know.
Plus, a passing ship spotted a man stuck at sea for nearly a month. More on his survival story on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:47:48]
SMITH: Authorities in France are warning that wildfires raging there could burn for months. More than 220,000 people have been evacuated in the Bourdeaux region. This is a look at some of the aftermath. Officials say 162 arrests have been made on suspicion of possible arson in France since July 6.
CNN's Melissa Bell has the latest for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: These are some of the 42,000 hectares of devastated land here in the Gironde region. And you can see that even as the firefighters continue to try and bring this monstrous blaze under control, to the southeast even those parts that have already been devastated continue to threaten to re- erupt in flames.
That is because the weather that we've had, of course, have created these drought conditions allowing this fire to start. But the winds have continued pushing it over the weekend and it has become so strong -- this fire -- and vast that is has created its own weather systems -- its own winds, its own tornadoes, its own momentum.
For the time being, five days in, authorities say that they believe there's a small window now over the next few hours when the moisture conditions in the air are such and the wind a little bit lower than it has been for them to try and bring it under control. But that window will be small because temperatures are expected to continue rising with yet another heat wave expected by midweek.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Melissa.
Let's stay international and we'll go around the globe.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Michigan and Ontario, Canada is officially open to cars and trucks. This $6 billion bridge has a total of six lanes and a toll of $5.75 to cross. And next week the bridge's pedestrian and bicycle path will open, no toll required.
And China is testing humanoid robots in real work environments. Now the goal here is to use AI to allow the machines to learn and adapt on factory floors. CNN's Mike Valerio has the details from Beijing.
[05:50:00]
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MIKE VALERIO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: So why are we lifting with robots? Well, this underground lab in Beijing offers a glimpse of what's next for China's humanoid workforce. Forget robot backflips. China is now trying to build humanoid robots that can actually work on factory floors.
Tell us why a factory of the future needs a humanoid robot like this.
YULI ZHAO, CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, GALBOT: One is that currently the industrial robots -- they can only work with a fixed program routine.
VALERIO: For decades, factory robots have repeated the same movements thousands of times. Chinese robotics company Galbot is betting the next generation will need something more -- machines that can learn and adapt using AI.
All right. So we can do this. It's not fun and, oh, again, this robot would not complain and could probably do it more efficiently than I could for six hours. Good job. High five?
Companies like Unitree are already selling humanoid robots here in Beijing. Some are inspecting factories but certainly many more are already entertaining crowds across China. But getting them to work on assembly lines, that is much harder challenge.
P.K. TSENG, RESEARCH MANAGER, TRENDFORCE: China's robot -- I think the industry is in a very early commercialization stage. I think maybe two years is enough. Two years, you will see lots of robotic into the factory.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right. Really fascinating. Thank you, Mike.
Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, pimp my ride. A look at how customizing cars may be the future to making money for carmakers. We've got that coming your way.
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[05:56:00]
SMITH: We are following some breaking news out of Japan. A major 7.1- magnitude earthquake has hit the southern part of the country knocking out power to thousands of homes and snarling travel, and triggering evacuation orders and warnings for aftershocks. Authorities are getting reports of injuries. And the quake also prompted a tsunami warning but the threat of that has passed. We'll continue to monitor that and we'll keep you updated.
In today's Money Express the CEO of Cracker Barrel is stepping down.
Maribel Aber joins us from the Nasdaq MarketSite with more details there. Maribel, what do we know?
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: Hi, Brad.
Well, Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Masino is stepping down following the company's controversial brand overhaul. She will leave the role next month but remain an adviser through October.
Now, Masino led the effort to modernize the struggling chain last year, removing the iconic old-timer from its logo and remodeled some locations. Remember that? Well, customers and investors pushed back on the changes, sending the stock down to about half its value. Shares later recovered after Cracker Barrel reversed course, reporting stronger than expected revenue for last quarter.
Ford is betting its parts and accessories business can become a bigger profit driver. The automaker is expanding that division to capture a larger share of America's $5.3 billion aftermarket industry. Ford plans to offer specialty parts ranging from vehicle wraps and exterior styling to performance upgrades. It's also rolling out exclusive merchandise releases modeled after, like, Nike-style shoe drops if you will. With the new vehicles on the way, Ford sees even more opportunities to sell high-margin accessories.
Football season doesn't start until fall but Pringles and Buffalo Wild Wings aren't waiting to launch a new tailgating lineup. Three new chip flavors are inspired by Buffalo Wild Wings' most popular sauces, parmesan-garlic, medium buffalo, and Asian zing. The new Pringles are available now at select retailers with a store locater on the brand's website. They'll be available nationwide before the NFL games kick off in September.
Brad, my husband is already counting.
SMITH: Yeah. A Pringles can hates to see me coming too.
Maribel Aber, thank you so much.
SMITH: Straight up, let's take a look at some of the other headlines making news across the country here.
We start in Maine where an international flight was forced to make an emergency landing Monday here. It was over reports from crew and passengers of smoke in the cabin, but the source remains unknown and officials say that they found no signs of a fire or heat after inspecting the plane. The plane, traveling from Switzerland to New York, landed safely.
And in Hawaii a man was rescued at sea after being stranded in the Pacific Ocean for more than a month. Two weeks into his first solo sailing trip the mast snapped sending him adrift. He tried using the motor, but it ran out of gas. And he says he survived on oatmeal and fish. Then finally, about a week ago, a crew finally spotted his sailboat in the ocean. Despite the complications the man is already planning his next sailing excursion. May the odds be in your favor.
And take a look at this amazing rescue in California. A boy was saved by a lifeguard after being swept away by powerful waves at the beach. The National Weather Service is urging people to stay out of the water due to an increase of rip currents in the area.
All right. And you've got to see this. A six-foot iguana named "Titan" leaps out of the box that it was shipped in at the FedEx store causing quite the stir and panic.
CNN's Jeremy Roth has the details for us.
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JEREMY ROTH, CNN PRODUCER (voiceover): FedEx workers in Tennessee who were curious about a customer's package got more than they bargained for when the man opened a tall shipping container he thought contained a still sleeping new pet iguana but instead got a lightning-fast leaping lizard. The iguana sprang loose, scaring the bejesus out of the employees, but it was eventually cornered, wrangled, and bagged back up to head to its new home.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[06:00:00]
SMITH: I might have quit. I'm not gonna lie.
And let's take you to Seattle. That's where the internet's favorite raccoon Jimothy was honored in his city.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dan Strauss proclaim the summer of 2026 to be "Jimothy Summer."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Hot Jimothy Summer rolls on. Hundreds of people gathered Sunday to honor the beloved critter.
That does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
