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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson
Todd Blanche Grilled by Lawmakers in Confirmation Hearing; Interview with Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA); Ontario Faces 100 Plus Active Wildfires Forcing Evacuations; Argentina Stun England 2-1 in World Cup Semifinal; Iran Steps Up Executions Under the Cover of War; Trump's Third Nominee to Lead CDC Faces Skeptical Senators; U.K. Proposes Social Media Restrictions for Older Teens; China Puts New Restrictions on A.I. Companions. Aired 12-1a ET
Aired July 16, 2026 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[00:00:35]
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Elex Michaelson live in Los Angeles.
Coming up, THE STORY IS Trump's address to the nation. In less than 24 hours, the president expected to reveal some, quote, "really big news to the country." What's he talking about?
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California with me to weigh in.
THE STORY IS hazy skies. Smoke from Canadian wildfires casting an orange glow over Toronto, along with cities in the northeastern U.S..
And THE STORY IS World Cup thriller. Argentina stunning England with a late comeback in their semifinal match. How the country is still celebrating right now.
ANNOUNCER: Live from Los Angeles, THE STORY IS with Elex Michaelson.
MICHAELSON: The top story is a busy day ahead for President Trump. He is set to deliver a primetime address to the nation, which he is calling, quote, "really big news." The president has already said he plans to focus on election security ahead of November's midterms. Meanwhile, two of his Cabinet nominees facing a grilling on Capitol Hill today. Their confirmations not the sure thing that he had hoped for.
All this, as the president is also struggling to sell Americans on his unpopular war with Iran. U.S. Central Command says it has now completed its second wave of strikes on Iran for the fifth consecutive night. They were targeting military assets to prevent Tehran from threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reports that explosions were heard in cities across the country, including the capital of Tehran.
Sources say that President Trump has also been receiving options for expanding military operations to undo Tehran's grip on the strait.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Are you giving Iran a deadline before you re- start bombing?
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know -- they know the story. They better behave.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Iran's chief negotiator says Tehran must continue to defend itself, while also remaining open to diplomacy. The Iranian president called Trump's comments disrespectful.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MASOUD PEZESHKIAN, IRANIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): These comments are continuing, and they are doing these acts. But the point is whether they could reach their goal in the field. The people who decided to divide our Iran into pieces where they are standing now, finally, we in action based on what we believe in, will defend our soil every inch of the way and these disrespectful comments are worthy of them, not us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Meantime, President Trump posting on social media that Iran has released an American woman who he says had been wrongfully detained since December of 2024. He did not identify the person or provide details about her release.
More now on the confirmation hearing for Todd Blanche, President Trump's pick to become the next U.S. attorney general. Blanche has been serving as acting attorney general since April after his former boss, Pam Bondi, was fired. Lawmakers questioned him on a wide variety of issues, including the release of the Epstein files and his previous role as President Trump's personal attorney.
Senator Alex Padilla joins me in a moment. But first, to CNN's Sherrell Hubbard with the highlights.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you're about to give before this committee will be the truth?
SHERRELL HUBBARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, faced a high stakes confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Blanche was tested on his fealty to Trump.
SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-LA): Are you and President Trump friends?
TODD BLANCHE, ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: I'm his lawyer -- was his lawyer, and now I'm the deputy attorney general. So I met him as his criminal defense attorney.
HUBBARD (voice-over): And some committee members had questions about the Epstein survivors.
BLANCHE: I have never said I will not meet with survivors. I am --
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): Will you meet with these 10 survivors? I'm asking you on the record.
BLANCHE: If they have lawyers --
DURBIN: Well, you're dancing on the head of a pin here.
BLANCHE: I'm not dancing on any pin.
HUBBARD (voice-over): And questions about the Epstein files released during his tenure as acting AG. He acknowledged there were some errors in the vetting of the publicly released Epstein files, but defended his handling of the files.
During the multi-hour hearing, Blanche called Trump's U.S. Capitol riot pardons generous, dodged a question about litigation challenging federal rules allowing abortion pills to be received in the mail, and spoke about the status of a $1.8 billion so-called anti-weaponization fund for Trump's allies.
[00:05:05]
BLANCHE: There is no weaponization fund.
HUBBARD (voice-over): And the acting attorney general seemed to slough off calls to investigate FBI director Kash Patel.
SEN. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE (D-RI): How long do you intend to put up with that Kash Patel character?
BLANCHE: That's an extraordinarily obnoxious question, Senator. And the --
WHITEHOUSE: Great. You got to own that.
HUBBARD (voice-over): I'm Sherrell Hubbard, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: For more now, I'm joined by the senior senator from California, Democrat Alex Padilla.
Senator, welcome back to THE STORY IS.
SEN. ALEX PADILLA (D-CA): Thanks, Elex. Thanks for having me back.
MICHAELSON: So in the coming hours, we're expecting to hear from President Trump for a primetime address to talk about voting rights and elections. You're a former secretary of state who ran voting in the biggest state in the union.
What are you hearing about what President Trump is going to say? And what are you most concerned about? PADILLA: Yes. So I know a couple of things, Elex. First of all, from
that prior role as secretary of state in California, I can attest to the security and integrity of our voting systems. California is leading the way in making it more accessible for eligible voters to register and to vote.
What I can also tell you is that for a decade now, if not more, Donald Trump has been spewing lies and conspiracy theories about the integrity of our election. Going back to his first race in 2016, when we all first learned the term foreign interference. And so he's peddled with this. He -- when he's anticipating an election where he's going to lose or the people he's supporting is going to lose, he starts setting the stage to call into question the results.
And that's what we see. Again, I don't know exactly what he's going to say in his primetime speech, but I can assure you it's going to be full of lies and conspiracy theories because whenever he's failing, which is often these days, prices are up, he's losing in Iran, on and on and on, he has to pivot. He has to try to distract from his record. And in this case, with less than 112 days to go until the election, here we go again.
MICHAELSON: When you were secretary of state in California during COVID, you implemented universal mail-in ballots where every person in the state automatically gets a ballot. It's something that President Trump talks about all the time when it comes to California. And it's something that Joe Rogan and J.D. Vance talked about on Joe Rogan's podcast. The vice president talking about Spencer Pratt not getting into the top two after mail-in ballots came in that were against him. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
J.D. VANCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's like you were designing the vote share in order to kick Pratt out and put the third person into second place. That to me is like very, very bizarre.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: As President Trump says, we would be safer. There'd be less fraud if people showed up to vote in person with a voter I.D.. That way you're not sending out ballots to all these people. There isn't ballot harvesting. There isn't the greater chance for fraud.
What do you say to that?
PADILLA: Yes. So again, a few things, but let's get this straight. Vote by mail is safe, it's secure. And yes, it's very popular because it is very convenient. The president himself votes by mail. So he's saying its good enough for him but not good enough for the rest of us which is not true.
Second, when it comes to vote by mail, California is not the first universal vote by mail state. Other states have been sending ballots by mail to every voter in their state. I think California does it even better because you offered voters the options for how to return your ballot by mail. Return postage is prepaid. Voters can drop it off at a drop box anywhere in their county, or you can walk it into a polling place near you. Right?
It's all about safety, security, and options and convenience for voters. You have to do both. The other element that Donald Trump doesn't like, you know, when he calls into question the mayor's race in Los Angeles, because once again his candidate was losing. So he needs to find an excuse. He needs to try to distract. When more people vote, he tends to do worse. So he's trying to make it more difficult for people to register, to stay registered, or in this case, for their ballots to be counted.
MICHAELSON: You are a member of the Judiciary Committee in the Senate, which means you were one of those asking questions on this day of Todd Blanche, who is the acting attorney general, wants to get that job in a permanent role. Here's some of what you talked about with him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PADILLA: The Department of Justice should be independent or not?
BLANCHE: I think the -- as I've said earlier, the Department of Justice is under the executive branch. If confirmed, I will be a member of the president's Cabinet. So absolutely, my obligation is to the American people and the rule of law. That being said --
PADILLA: So we'll talk about this.
BLANCHE: I am a member of the Cabinet of the president of the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: We know that you're not going to vote for him. We know that none of the Democrats on the committee are going to vote for him. But what about the Republicans? Have you talked to your colleagues that are not facing reelection in terms of where they're going to be?
[00:10:02]
Do you think that Todd Blanche has the votes right now?
PADILLA: Look, I think at the end of the day, he may very well have the votes. There's a couple of Republicans who remain a question. I haven't heard from them that they're definitely going to vote for him or that they're definitely not going to vote for him. So we will see.
What we needed to do today in this confirmation hearing to make sure it's a substantive confirmation hearing is to lay out the record and that question that I asked about independence. Historically, the attorney general and the Department of Justice is supposed to be independent and impartial. What we've seen under this second Donald Trump administration is the Department of Justice weaponized, and Todd Blanche has not denied it.
You know, he's been there from almost day one as the deputy attorney general. Since Pam Bondi was let go, he's been the acting attorney general, and he made it clear that he considered himself as the executive branch. He's a member of Trump's Cabinet, and his duty is to carry out Trump's agenda, which is wrong. The attorney general of the United States is the attorney general of the people of the United States, not the personal lawyer for the president.
Oh, wait. Todd Blanche was the personal lawyer for Donald Trump, and he reminded us of that during the hearing today. That's all you need to know.
MICHAELSON: Senator Alex Padilla, thank you so much for spending some time with us on a very, very busy day for you. We really appreciate it.
PADILLA: Thank you, Elex.
MICHAELSON: Joining me now to talk more about that is our political panel. On the left, Stephanie Miller, host of the "Stephanie Miller Show" on Sirius XM Channel 127. And on the right, Jennifer Horn, host of "The Morning Answer" radio show on AM 870 here in Los Angeles.
Ladies, welcome back. Good to see you.
Jennifer, let's start with the raw politics of this. In order for Todd Blanche to move on past this committee, Republicans can only lose one vote after Lindsey Graham's death. They've got two that they could potentially lose. There's John Cornyn, the senator from Texas, who President Trump endorsed his opponent. So now he's got no loyalty to President Trump. And Thom Tillis, who's not running for reelection and has shown his independence from President Trump.
Where do you see the politics of this?
JENNIFER HORN, HOST, "THE MORNING ANSWER" ON 870 AM IN L.A.: It's very funny, because if you would have asked me this question, you know, crystal ball, would we be worried about John Cornyn or Thom Tillis' endorsement of Todd Blanche, I think I would be more worried about Thom Tillis. But today, Senator Tillis seemed to say that he was all in, at least he hadn't made his decision yet. But he seemed that he was leaning in the direction. His questioning led that he was leaning in the direction of Todd Blanche.
I think Todd Blanche did a really great job. He stayed calm. He didn't use notes. It was less fiery than the former attorney general, Pam Bondi's confirmation hearing. I am concerned about John Cornyn. I do think there's some really hurt feelings there, some bad blood, I think, at this moment. But I think ultimately this is politics. And John Cornyn knows that if he wants to maybe consider a future office, maybe a run for governor, it's probably not a great idea to burn bridges over something like this.
MICHAELSON: You laughed when you said he did a great job today.
STEPHANIE MILLER, NATIONAL RADIO AND TV HOST: I'm sorry. I just touched her right-wing bubble, where there's some universe in which Todd Blanche did a great job today. First of all, we've never had a president that had to have a personal attorney because he is, in fact, a 34-count convicted felon and an adjudicated rapist who just had to pay a woman he sexually assaulted rape.
MICHAELSON: Not rape -- they didn't use the word rape.
MILLER: The judge -- adjudicated means the judge said what he did is akin to rape, and he had to pay E. Jean Carroll almost $6 million for it.
MICHAELSON: That's what the judge -- the judge said that. Yes.
HORN: A compromise perhaps.
MILLER: So the cover-up of the Epstein files, in which the president is also very credibly accused of child rape to the extent --
(CROSSTALK)
HORN: We don't know that.
MICHAELSON: That is -- there is no -- there is no criminal allegations to this.
HORN: Come on.
MILLER: To the extent that one of the victims, the FBI, Elex, interviewed four times and found her testimony credible enough to convict both Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. And she's credibly accused Donald Trump.
MICHAELSON: President Trump has not been charged with any of that.
HORN: And speaking of bubble --
MICHAELSON: But let's go back. Let's talk about Todd Blanche.
HORN: But speaking of bubble --
MILLER: He is credibly accused as Representative Ted Lieu and others --
HORN: This is a very liberal bubble but I'm sitting next to right now. I don't know where you got the news.
(CROSSTALK)
MILLER: Representative Ted Lieu and others have talked about what is actually in the Epstein files, and that is the most egregious thing. He would not even agree to meet with the Epstein victims.
MICHAELSON: But you think he still probably gets confirmed?
MILLER: In Trump's America, sure. You know, we have a cop beater slush fund that he won't commit to putting in writing, and he's not going to -- MICHAELSON: And it's interesting because we also had a confirmation
hearing today for Trump's pick for director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, and Jon Ossoff and others, the senator from Georgia, were really pushing him on this idea of who won the 2020 election. He would not say who won the 2020 election. John Cornyn talked about that later. Speaking of John Cornyn, here's some of what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): I frankly, am more concerned about the upcoming midterm elections than I am on what happened in 2020. And obviously, election integrity is very important. But I personally don't see any point in relitigating an election that occurred six years ago.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[00:15:10]
MICHAELSON: So President Trump seems to be ready to litigate it, likely talking about this during his speech tomorrow. What do you make of the strategy of President Trump bringing this up again at a time when that does not seem to be the focus for most Americans?
MILLER: I think it's a fantastic political strategy, don't you, Jen? I think he needs to say it over and over again. We need to keep relitigating -- how many -- 60 cases he lost, including to Trump appointed judges. I mean, this -- I don't know what insane thing he's going to say tomorrow night, but I know that it's going to be completely something that's been debunked multiple times. Who knows what he's going to say?
That he clearly is trying to lay the groundwork to, you know, seize control, federal control of elections, who knows what? Martial law. I don't know what he's going to say.
MICHAELSON: What is the political strategy in talking about this when poll after poll after poll shows that affordability, cost of living is the thing that people really care about?
HORN: Well, multitasking, 100 percent. I mean, first of all, we can deal with the cost of gasoline. We can deal with the war in Iran, but election integrity should be the top of everybody's list. It's so disappointing to hear people laugh off.
And Stephanie, I know that you care about this country. I know I care about this country, Elex, you do, too. We should want the best for it. It shouldn't be about politics. And if there is evidence that there was wrongdoing in an election, I hope every American listens to that. We need to make sure elections are secure. And there is a question in at least 50 percent, and I would say probably closer to 70 percent of the country's mind about whether or not our elections are secure.
And I looked at the polling on that. In California alone, 70 percent of people in our state want some kind of voter I.D., want some kind of checks on the election. It is an important issue. I think he's probably going to come forward with some evidence of foreign interference. I think that's why Tulsi Gabbard was involved.
MILLER: Oh, God.
HORN: And I think we absolutely have to take it seriously, as we did when the Russians interfered in Hillary Clinton's election or lack of election.
MILLER: Thank you. I was going to say, in 2016, we know there was Russian interference because, you know, it was well-documented. This, you know, not feeling secure in the election is peddled entirely because of Donald Trump and his nonsense and his lies.
HORN: This is the point. It shouldn't be political.
MICHAELSON: But Hillary Clinton did complain about Russian interference.
HORN: She did. And then checked it. They investigated.
MICHAELSON: There may have been evidence of that. And there is evidence that other countries are trying to interfere. The question is, what is the evidence here? It will be interesting to see that and see where that comes from.
HORN: And we have to listen to that.
MICHAELSON: But making a claim without evidence is also very problematic.
HORN: I think we might get some tomorrow.
MICHAELSON: Yes. Stephanie, Jennifer, you guys are --
MILLER: Oh, I can't wait. I'm going to make popcorn.
MICHAELSON: You guys are sticking around. There's a lot more to talk about tonight, including the issue of immigration. So we'll see you guys back in about 15 minutes.
Other news, though, happening tonight. Dozens of active wildfires are raging in Canada. Take a look at the flames that engulfed a train as it tried to evacuate people from the dangerous flames. Imagine how scary this would be. This looks like a movie.
Just ahead, a rail worker describes this nightmarish scene.
Plus, on a lighter note, for the second consecutive World Cup, Argentina and Lionel Messi are headed to the final. We'll have the reaction, highlights. We will take you to that semifinal match in Atlanta, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like us here, this has gotten a little scary.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Holy (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Yes. This is --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, you all need to hurry up here. Like, seriously, we're encased in flames now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A lot of guys go backwards.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: A crew member there describing the hellish scenes outside a train that was halted by a wall of flames in Ontario, Canada. That train had been evacuating areas affected by wildfires. A spokesperson for the Canadian National Railway says the crew safely escaped the area, but did not offer any details. The union representing the crew criticized the railway for allowing a train to travel through the region. More than 100 active wildfires have forced mandatory evacuation orders in northwestern Ontario this week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At first when you go outside and you're coming from a cold environment, like you can really feel like how heavy it is and how hot.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm from Toronto, grew up in Toronto. I don't remember having smoke ever until the last couple of years.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My eyes are burning, my lungs are burning. I've got a splitting headache. It's brutal. Last year wasn't as bad. I think coupled with the heat, our bodies have been under stress for a few days. And now with the smoke, it's total shut down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Smoke from the Canadian wildfires has blanketed the city of Toronto in an orange haze, and all Canada has had more than 3,000 wildfires this year, and the fumes are drifting south, bringing dangerous air quality to more than 100 million people in the U.S., Midwest and northeast.
New York's governor urged people to take precautions, especially those with underlying health conditions. And the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued an air quality alert on Wednesday due to smoke from those wildfires.
Another round of slow-moving storms is causing life-threatening flooding in parts of southern Texas already drenched by rain. Up to 16 inches of rain has fallen in some places. Uvalde County has received about half a year's worth of rain so far. The flash flooding has led to dozens of water rescues. Tens of thousands of people are under the highest level of flood warning, while others are under mandatory evacuation orders.
[00:25:04]
More rain is expected from this storm than fell during the deadly flooding last year. The storm also spawned a tornado in San Antonio Wednesday evening. The governor has declared a disaster for nearly 60 counties.
The threat of catastrophic flooding won't ease up until Friday. Officials say this type of storm pattern, where rain repeatedly pounds the same areas, is a worst case scenario for flooding.
To the World Cup now, this was the scene in Buenos Aires. Take a look.
Fans erupted in joy after Argentina scored the game-winning goal in added time, beating England 2-1 in Wednesday's semifinal match. Superstar Lionel Messi made the difference. His two assists led Argentina to a comeback victory. He has scored eight goals so far at this tournament. Argentina's relentless offense with 14 shots ultimately broke through England's defense after the Three Lions tried to hold an early lead.
World Sport's Amanda Davies reports from Atlanta.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: This is an Argentina side who just can't be written off. We knew they weren't going to give up their crown without a fight, but boy, did they turn it into one in an absolute cauldron of an atmosphere here in Atlanta.
I have honestly never heard or not heard, as the case may be, national anthems like it. If noise really could blow off roofs, it would have done. The tone was set from the word go. You could feel every pound of the weight of history and the rivalry. Thomas Tuchel had said he thought the challenge of Messi and Argentina would bring out the best of his side. This was a challenge that just wouldn't allow it.
Neither side managing to find a way through for a decent chance in the first half. But then on 55 minutes, England fans were daring to dream. Barcelona's new signing Anthony Gordon scoring his first World Cup goal. But 35 minutes is a long time, too long to defend against this Argentina side. The onslaught began. They hit the woodwork a couple of times and Enzo Fernandez and then ultimately Lautaro Martinez found a way through to break England hearts once again and put Argentina into their second straight final.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's Messi. You can't go against him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's the GOAT. I don't have anything like nothing to say. He's Jesus, I don't know, he's up there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're just so full of emotion right now. It just means the world to us because it's just -- we're all a family here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We always make a comeback. We always make a comeback.
DAVIES: After the tears of sheer relief from Messi in previous games, this time, like the fans, he had a huge smile on his face at the final whistle. Another chapter in the fiercest of rivalries written. Another Argentina victory to put them into Sunday's decider on the biggest World Cup stage.
Amanda Davies, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: Kensington Palace put out this statement by William and Catherine, the prince and princess of Wales, reacting to England's exit from the World Cup. It says, quote, "Gutted. England, you gave it everything and we are all so proud of you. Thank you to everyone on and off the pitch for an incredible tournament. The fight and belief you have shown has inspired us all. The most complete England team in a tournament. Hold your heads high," and it's signed W.
So now the World Cup final is set. Argentina will meet Spain in Sunday's showdown in New Jersey. World Cup history in the making. The first ever meeting in a final between the champions of Europe and South America. Argentina aiming to become the first back-to-back World Cup title holders since 1962.
U.S. troops over 30 will now have to undergo a new controversial screening. We'll have the latest details when we return. Plus, new accusations that Iran is taking advantage of its war with the U.S. to ramp up executions of political opponents.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to THE STORY IS. I'm Elex Michaelson. Let's take a look at today's top stories.
[00:34:01]
President Trump is preparing to deliver what he calls a really big news in primetime speech to the nation on Thursday. He says he'll focus on free and fair elections and a couple other things.
Sources say the president will talk about voting machine security and alleged efforts by foreign nations to influence elections.
More than 800 active wildfires are burning across Canada. More than 100 of them are in the province of Ontario, where they forced mandatory evacuation orders this week.
Smoke from the fires has blanketed the city of Toronto with an orange haze, and the fumes are bringing dangerous air quality to more than 100 million people in the U.S. Midwest and Northeast.
The U.S. Military says it has completed strikes on Iran for a fifth straight night, aimed at degrading Iran's ability to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media report that air defenses were activated earlier in
the capital of Tehran, and locations in Northern and central Iran were also hit.
As that conflict with Iran drags on, Tehran is reportedly using the opportunity to crack down on dissent at home.
[00:05:04]
According to Iran Human Rights, an NGO based in Norway, the Iranian regime is dramatically stepping up executions of political prisoners while the world is distracted by the war.
CNN's Isobel Yeung spoke with an Iranian woman whose brothers are on death row.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISOBEL YEUNG, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Niki Nikbakht recently learned that her two brothers, Hadi and Fazlullah, have been given the death sentence by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Every day from her home in Germany, she checks in with her family back home.
NIKI NIKBAKHT, BROTHERS SENTENCED TO DEATH: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
YEUNG: Niki's brothers are just two of dozens of political prisoners facing execution in Iran right now. They stand accused of encouraging dissent against the regime and were convicted of broad charges of corruption.
YEUNG: The Islamic Republic in the past has said that they only issued the death penalty after due process, and that it's only given for very serious crimes for people who have committed horrendous things. Is that not what your brothers have done?
NIKBAKHT: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: They always try to portray politically active people as a threat to society to justify their death sentence. It's creating fear in society.
YEUNG (voice-over): Earlier this year, after widespread protests where the authorities cracked down with lethal force, President Trump claimed he'd stepped in to stop Iran from executing hundreds of people.
But since the U.S.-led war, Iran has intensified repression and sped up the pace of executions. At least 44 political prisoners, including protesters, have been killed since the conflict broke out, according to the Norway-based Iran human rights NGO.
YEUNG: So, this is Hadi (ph) and his wife and his two sons. And how are they handling it? NIKBAKHT: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: I don't think that their mother has mentioned the death sentence to them.
YEUNG (voice-over): With each execution, the regime sends a chilling message: We're still in charge, and dissent will not be tolerated.
YEUNG: It must be impossible to put out of your mind. I mean, how are you feeling on a daily basis about what could be to come?
NIKBAKHT: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: The only thing I can do now is be their voice. There's nothing else I can do. I don't know what to say. The situation is unimaginable, but in the end, we have to stay strong. That's our only option.
YEUNG (voice-over): Human rights groups decry what they say are forced confessions, used to justify these executions. Earlier this year, 26- year-old Nasser Bagdasarian (ph) and 28-year-old Mehrab Abdul Al-Zaidi (ph) confessed to serious crimes.
Nasser's filmed confession about espionage was used as propaganda and publicized on Iranian state media.
NASSER BAGDASARIAN (ph), EXECUTED BY IRANIAN GOVERNMENT: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: I took several photos of a hall in an IRGC (Sepah) facility.
YEUNG (voice-over): But in recorded calls from prison during their final days, both Nasser and Mehrab said they'd been tortured into making these confessions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: From the very first day of my arrest, they forced confessions out of me through torture and threats, confessions that were entirely false.
YEUNG (voiceover): Both Nasser and Mehrab were hanged on the 2nd of May.
Hamid Chapati shared a cell with both men in Urumia Central Prison. Chapati is a Kurdish-Iranian activist who was imprisoned there for three months.
HAMID CHAPATI, FORMER FELLOW PRISONER: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: For Nasser and Mehab and every prisoner sentenced to execution, every day can be the last moment. At night, they cannot sleep.
YEUNG: Do you remember the day when you found out that Nasser was executed? CHAPATI: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
GRAPHIC: When Nasser's execution sentence was confirmed, he had sent a message to me through a mutual friend that he wants to talk to me for the last time. And unfortunately, I could not talk to him. But when I heard the news of his execution, I feel like I was executed with him, too.
YEUNG (voice-over): As the war in Iran heats up again, human rights feel far from the priority, and the regime is once again ruling through fear.
Isobel Yeung, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: Thanks to Isobel.
France is a step closer to giving some terminally ill patients an option to end their lives.
The country's national assembly adopted a bill on Wednesday that would allow incurably ill adults to receive a lethal medication if they request it, but there are strict conditions, including that a patient must be in an advanced stage of a life-threatening condition.
The bill becomes law if and when France's top constitutional court agrees that it is legal.
Opponents demonstrated outside Parliament during the vote. After the bill passed, President Emmanuel Macron posted on social media that he committed to opening this path back in 2022 and that his commitment has been fulfilled with what he called seriousness, humility, and a respect for democracy.
An outbreak of an illness caused by a parasite is surging across parts of the U.S. More than 3,000 cases of that have been reported in Michigan and Ohio.
The parasite causes an intestinal illness that can lead to diarrhea and other symptoms.
Michigan health officials say their investigation suggests that lettuce or salad greens may be a possible source. Experts recommend avoiding precut or packaged produce.
Nationwide, the CDC says more than 7,000 cases have been confirmed or are under investigation in 34 states since May.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that he is rolling out a new program to test American troops for low testosterone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETE HEGSETH, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY: Today, I'm authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Secretary Hegseth said that troops over 30 years old will be screened every year and receiving testosterone replacement therapy will be voluntary. So, they'll get a test result. If they want to get the replacement, they can.
It appears he's planning to test only men for hormone irregularities. The Pentagon did not respond to questions about what research or academic studies are behind this move.
President Trump's latest pick to lead the nation's main public health agency is facing a challenging confirmation process. Dr. Erica Schwartz, the president's third nominee for CDC director in less than two years, appeared before a Senate committee earlier today.
The agency has been without stable leadership for almost a year, after the last CDC director was ousted following highly publicized disagreements with the health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
At a time when the CDC is facing upheaval and public distrust, the administration is hoping that Schwartz can provide a steady hand.
But on Capitol Hill, she heard from skeptical senators, as CNN's Meg Tirrell reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. BILL CASSIDY (R-LA): We need a CDC director that will actually stand up to crazy, stupid things being said that undermine faith in immunization. Are you the person?
MEG TIRRELL, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dr. Erica Schwartz faced a barrage of questions Wednesday from senators of both political parties about whether, as CDC director, she'd hold the line for science over potential political pressure.
DR. ERICA SCHWARTZ, CDC DIRECTOR NOMINEE: Chairman, you have my assurances that I will continue to lead by my integrity. I will never compromise -- compromise on the science. I will always, always have the public's health in mind. I have spent over 25 years making sure --
CASSIDY: Not quite the direct answer I'm hoping for.
TIRRELL (voice-over): Sources tell CNN Schwartz's nomination is an attempt by the White House to stabilize the CDC after months of turmoil under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The public health agency hasn't had a confirmed director for nearly a year after President Trump's last pick was ousted over what she said was her refusal to pre-approve Vaccine Advisory Panel recommendations, an account Kennedy denied.
After so much upheaval, one White House official telling CNN of the choice of Schwartz, quote, "We just need someone who's not crazy." Since early last year, the CDC has faced significant job cuts, a fatal
shooting at its headquarters, and concerns it doesn't have the resources or latitude to tackle public health issues, including ongoing measles outbreaks, an Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the current outbreak, centered in the Midwest, of a diarrhea-causing parasite.
SEN. PATTY MURRAY (D-WA): RFK Jr. and Trump's war on the CDC is now landing people in the hospital.
TIRRELL (voice-over): A physician and former deputy surgeon general Schwartz's credentials have been applauded by the public health world. She doesn't share Kennedy's skepticism of vaccines.
Polling has suggested Kennedy's vaccine agenda could hurt Republicans in the midterms, alarming the White House, which did not respond to a request for comment.
More recently, Kennedy has touted the administration's policies focused on healthy food and lowering drug prices. But vaccines remain top of mind Wednesday, as senators repeatedly sought assurances that Schwartz, as CDC director, would stand firm on the science. Many senators remain skeptical.
SEN. LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER (D-DE): I think you are immensely qualified. I am very, very concerned that even qualified people have either had to change their positions or quit. And so again, I -- I wish us all luck on our public health at this moment.
TIRRELL (voice-over): Meg Tirrell, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: President Trump pulls a 180 on the Department of Homeland Security. What he's now saying about traffic stops targeting undocumented immigrants in the U.S., just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:49:33]
MICHAELSON: President Trump is ordering federal agents to resume traffic stops in their effort to deport undocumented immigrants.
Sources say the president was furious about the pause ordered on Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security. It came after ICE officers shot and killed two people in less than a week, one in Texas and the other in Maine. Neither was the actual target of an immigration enforcement operation.
The partner of the Colombian man killed in Maine posted a heartbreaking tribute, saying, quote, "My soul aches. I have so many questions. I wish it were all a lie."
Meanwhile, in the Texas case, an FBI affidavit now alleges that drugs were found in the van driven by the victim. A Latino rights group says the claims smell of a smear campaign and a cover-up.
Lawmakers in the U.K. have unveiled plans for a social media curfew for older teens. This follows an announcement of restrictions for those under 16.
CNN's Nada Bashir breaks it all down.
This is, as you mentioned, the next step after that initial announcement by the government last month they will be banning social media access to all under 16-year-olds.
BASHIR (voice-over): But this is seen as sort of a phasing in for 16- and 17-year-olds, allowing them to have access. But of course, for that curfew to come into place between 12 a.m., to midnight, and 6 a.m.
And this would essentially prevent any sort of access to social media sites like Twitter, like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
But it would also add measures which would essentially prevent apps which allow for constant scrolling, like, for example, Reels on Instagram or on TikTok, to prevent that from automatically being the case for teenagers using those apps.
But it is important to note that this is a voluntary measure. So, those teenagers would have the option of going into their settings on their phones and turning this off.
But the government has said that this is an attempt to add further safeguards to make them accessible for parents trying to control social media usage amongst their teenagers.
And we have heard from the U.K. technology secretary, Liz Kendall, in a statement saying, "These measures will be crucial in helping young people get the sleep they need, focus on school and college, and spend more quality time with family and friends, all of which are fundamental to building a happy, healthy and fulfilling adult life.
And there has also been a pilot which took place involving more than 300 people. And according to the findings of this pilot, this actually helped sleep and concentration.
So, while there are some doubts around the --
BASHIR: -- voluntary nature of this measure, there is some hope that this will add further safeguards for young people.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: Nada Bashir, thank you for that from London.
President Trump is getting in the middle of the debate over A.I. data centers, with some Republicans breaking from the president's position. That story and more ahead on THE STORY IS.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [00:57:04]
MICHAELSON: Young people are increasingly turning to A.I. to help solve their personal struggles, many using so-called companion apps where users can create custom chatbots that can take on a range of personas.
Now, China is tightening restrictions on these services. CNN's Kristie Lu Stout has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: Beijing is trying to break up A.I. relationships.
STOUT (voice-over): Chatbots have become more common companions in friendship or even love, as seen across Chinese social media.
STOUT: But this kind of intimacy may be no more, thanks to new rules that take effect today.
STOUT (voice-over): Outdriven by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the measures tighten oversight on human-like A.I. services.
STOUT: They ban firms from providing virtual companion services to minors.
STOUT (voice-over): And companies must also, quote, "inducing emotional dependance or addiction in adults."
STOUT: Legal experts point out this is not an outright ban on A.I. chatbots. Platforms that don't provide emotional interaction, like customer service or work assistance, are not affected here.
Ahead of the rules, Chinese tech giants reportedly stripped human-like A.I. features from their chatbots --
STOUT (voice-over): -- with Bytedance's Doubao and Alibaba's Qwen disabling features that let users build and chat with artificial friends.
Now, social media users are worried about the clampdown, with one saying this: quote, "I recreated the voice of my deceased family member, but now I can't use it anymore. What should I do?"
STOUT: Now the new rules reflect a growing anxiety in Beijing about the social harms of A.I. --
STOUT (voice-over): -- especially as falling birth and marriage rates unsettle the Chinese Communist Party.
STOUT: But it's not only China that's concerned here. Several U.S. states, like New York and California, have also passed laws targeting A.I. companions.
Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong. (END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: President Trump is pushing New York to lift its temporary ban on building new A.I. data centers.
He is slamming the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, for the move, calling it a terrible decision. He claims that data centers are, quote, "cash cows," pointing to lower taxes and record job growth.
But Hochul warns that they could drive up utility bills and strain the water supply.
That debate is not just limited to New York. In central Texas, a group of elected officials is calling for a statewide ban on new data centers until more regulations are in place.
Even Republican governor of Texas Greg Abbott, speaking out against them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GREG ABBOTT (R-TX): We must prohibit them from building A.I. data centers in rural Texas neighborhoods, and we must eliminate the tax break they are getting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: President Trump's energy secretary, Chris Wright, is defending data centers, calling them the greatest tool to fight rising electricity prices.
Former President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he will release his presidential memoir in November. The book will be titled "Promise Me, America," and will include his account of major moments during his presidency.
