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CNN Headlines: Nearly 500 Dead, 1,300+ Missing In Catastrophic Flood In Nepal; Jury To Decide Fate Of Mom Accused Of Murdering Her 3 Children; Trump Signs Executive Order To Change Lake Ontario To "Lake America". Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired August 28, 2026 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:27]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: New video shows survivors pulled from a power plant tunnel in Nepal. It comes as more rescue efforts are now underway. Following the latest developments this morning for you.
And the fate of Lindsay Clancy now in the hands of the jury as deliberations continue in her triple murder trial. A look at how closing arguments from both sides have played out.
And more details revealed about that deadly collision between an Air Canada plane and a fire truck. It happened back in March at LaGuardia Airport. What we're learning this morning.
Good morning, everyone. I'm Brad Smith. This is CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. Glad that you're with us today.
Let's get this started.
We begin with the unfolding disaster in Nepal on the border with China. Diggers have been seen clawing through the thick mud earlier today, showing the scope of devastation. Nearly 500 people now confirmed dead and more than 1,000 reported missing.
People on the ground here are reacting to what they are seeing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We saw the gush of water all the way dirty mud, you know, rising all the way for four story high. We ran for our life. We ran 500 steps all the way up the mountain to be safe.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Definitely, there are many people missing, and some of them might be buried inside there. Some of, we don't know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The rescue operations have resumed at this hour after pausing earlier today over worries that the floods may return. Officials now say the risk is coming down. Still, people in the danger zone sought higher ground and international rescue teams. They moved to safety.
CNN's Will Ripley is in Kathmandu. That's where hundreds of people are waiting and hoping to find their missing loved ones.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WILL RIPLEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm here at the morgue in Kathmandu, and all of these people who are behind me are gathered to look at this wall right here, which I'm not showing you, because on the wall are pictures of dead bodies from the flood zone that have yet to be identified. There are men on the wall. There are women. There are young children. It looks like there are even photographs of body parts that have tattoos on them. Anything that can help these desperate families identify their loved ones.
There are 1,200 people registered hoping for word of either their loved ones surviving and being treated in the hospital, although right now that number is only a couple of dozen or their loved ones bodies will end up here and they can at least have some closure. It's just a terrible situation.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: CNN's Will Ripley in Kathmandu.
New video shows the scope of rescue efforts earlier today, the Nepali army can be seen here rescuing two people at a hydropower plant. It's unknown how many people remain stranded there.
And here's new video from Wednesday that shows how powerful the river became. New analysis has found that Wednesday's wave of water, mud and earth traveled nearly 14 miles in just six minutes, slamming into towns at speeds of up to 120 miles an hour. We'll have more on this developing story later this hour.
For more information on how you can help the Nepal flood victims, you can go to CNN.com/impact.
With the fate of the Massachusetts mom accused in the murder of her three children, now lies in the hands of the jury. The closing arguments wrapped on Thursday and the defense arguing that Clancy was failed by medical providers and treatment of her mental health. While the prosecution alleged a meticulous plan to kill her children.
CNN affiliate WCVB takes us inside the courtroom.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JUDGE: And the jury, you may now retire to consider your verdict. Thank you.
REPORTER (voice-over): And with that, the jury began its work in deciding the fate of Lindsay Clancy. She is on trial for strangling her three children with exercise bands in the basement of their Duxbury home.
JENNIFER SPRAGUE, PROSECUTOR: And they all felt it, all, for up to 30 seconds.
KEVIN REDDINGTON, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: This government, this prosecution, is a mess.
REPORTER (voice-over): The defense arguing Clancy suffered from postpartum psychosis and heard a voice commanding her to kill the children, then herself.
REDDINGTON: Lorazepam. Buspirone. Trazodone.
REPORTER (voice-over): Defense Attorney Kevin Reddington blaming her mental health providers for not doing enough.
REDDINGTON: My God, what does she have to do? She was reaching out for help.
REPORTER (voice-over): Reddington blasted the prosecution's case, diminishing their experts experience with postpartum women.
REDDINGTON: This young lady is not guilty of the killing of her children because she was suffering from a disease and defect.
[05:05:06]
SPRAGUE: None of them saw any signs of psychosis.
REPORTER (voice-over): The prosecution told the jury none of Clancy's providers saw signs of psychosis. Jennifer Sprague said Clancy knew what she was doing was wrong. Waiting for her then husband to leave on errands before strangling Cora, Dawson and Callan.
SPRAGUE: So she had to choose where, the basement. She had to choose how, strangulation. She had to choose with what, exercise band. Choose again. Exercise band, choose again. Exercise band
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: We're also watching a second high profile murder case. Lawyers in the Tupac Shakur murder trial are expected to begin closing arguments on Monday. Now, this is after the defense rested their case yesterday. Prosecutors have largely built their case on the defendant's own statements about his alleged role in the killing. The defense argues that Duane "Keffe D" Davis was lying and only acting tough. Davis has pleaded not guilty.
The Kennedy Center board has delayed trying to add president Trump's name to the building or grounds until October 8th at the earliest. That is a one-month delay from previous plans. During a court hearing yesterday, a judge asked pointed questions about why the board wanted to proceed. While the legal challenge to the name continues.
The lawsuit, brought by Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, argues that Congress did not authorize the change.
Tensions are ramping up between the U.S. and Canada as President Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario Lake Canada, or Lake America rather. I bet Canada wishes it was Lake Canada. But anyway, Lake Ontario to Lake America. It comes amid an escalating trade war that began with the U.S.
slapping 50 percent tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canada responded almost immediately, announcing higher tariffs on products coming from the United States
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's the purpose of this more than anything else, is we're going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario effective immediately to Lake America.
We can't let the whole Canadian thing that's been going on for decades, and it has to come to a stop. So, the lake change Lake of America was something I've been thinking about for a long time.
The Canadian officials have treated us very badly. They're nasty people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Okay. So, Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Well, the prime minister, prime minister of Canada is not buying it. Mark Carney posting this, "Name Lake Ontario dates back more than 400 years, long before either nation existed," and vows that Canadians will keep calling it that.
So, will Trump's name change actually stick? The answer depends upon who's using it. The president can change how federal agencies, maps and government documents refer to the lake, but he can't make Canada or the rest of the world do the same. The lake is shared by both countries under a treaty that's been in place for more than a century.
You'll remember that Trump made a similar move last year, changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on official U.S. maps and documents. Mexico shrugged off the change and still calls it by its original name.
Reagan National air traffic controllers had trouble reaching President Trump's helicopter as it prepared to leave the White House yesterday. The NTSB says construction on Trump's ballroom may have contributed to a close call involving Marine One earlier this month.
On August 4th, Marine One took off from the ellipse instead of the south lawn because of the ballroom construction. But that location is not ideal when it comes to communicating with air traffic controllers. According to the report, when taking off from the ellipse, not all radio transmissions from Marine One can be heard by air traffic controllers at D.C.'s two airports.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARINE ONE: National Tower, Marine One, proceeding as briefed.
TOWER: Marine One, you said your proceeding is briefed?
MARINE ONE: National Tower, that's Marine One, proceeding as briefed.
TOWER: Okay, no three minutes, Roger, proceed as briefed. Marine One, you got traffic rotating off runway one, E170.
MARINE ONE: Marine One, visual traffic.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The White House says it is working with the FAA to ensure the president's continued safety.
Lots more to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. Possible major medical breakthrough in the treatment of autism. What it could mean for millions.
And the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, now facing a lawsuit over staffers fired from the military's "Stars and Stripes" newspaper.
Those stories and much more ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:14:17]
SMITH: We're learning new details about the air traffic controllers that were on duty the night a deadly plane crash shut down New York City's LaGuardia Airport. Now, you may remember an Air Canada express jet collided with a fire truck on the runway, killing both pilots in March.
Two air traffic controllers had left work early that night before it happened, according to a source familiar with the investigation. Both are on leave, and the source says that the FAA is considering disciplinary action. The agency said in a statement the FAA is committed to holding employees accountable, and we will not compromise the safety or efficiency of the national airspace system.
Three fired staffers at "Stars and Stripes" are now suing the Pentagon.
[05:15:01]
The military publication's editor in chief, publisher and a reporter were all given separation notices last week. Now, the lawsuit argues that the trio was let go for publicly supporting the newspaper's editorial independence in covering the Defense Department. The staffers also accused the pentagon of retaliating against a "Stars and Stripes" story that exposed conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. They're asking the court to block their terminations and provide permanent relief before their contracts officially end.
Now, former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared advice for her successor and thanked reporters for working with her on her last day in the role yesterday. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KAROLINE LEAVITT, FORMER WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Thanks. It's very bittersweet. I'll miss you guys. I know that's probably not something anyone would expect me to say, but obviously, it's been great working with all of you, and I think people don't realize about this job, the briefings and what I just did on TV is 10 percent. 90 percent of it is taking all of your calls at five in the morning and 11:00 p.m. at night, and I won't really miss that, but I will miss working with you guys every day.
So, thanks for being colleagues. And I know the president will continue to take your calls and provide you with statements every day until he assumes a replacement for the role. So just thanks for being partners here at the White House and good luck.
REPORTER: Karoline, do you have any advice for the next White House press secretary?
LEAVITT: I will give my advice to whomever assumes the job. You know, I think its most important in this job to understand that President Trump is his own best spokesperson, and he -- we joke, Steven Chung and me, that he is the true communications director and press secretary here at the White House. And just understanding that, knowing that and believing in the mission.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, a new and improved COVID shot is coming. How the latest versions are designed to match the virus.
And later on, actress Rebel Wilson is accused of being a part of a smear campaign against a Hollywood film producer. The latest in the defamation lawsuit that she's facing.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:21:45]
SMITH: Now to a major medical breakthrough in autism treatment. Scientists say that they've built the largest ever molecular map tracing autism. It's helping them understand how the condition works in the brain and could hold the key to new treatments.
CNN health reporter Jacqueline Howard explains the research.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: Researchers used A.I. and they studied tiny lab-grown brains called organoids. And to build this map, what the researchers did, they really zeroed in on how certain genetic mutations that we know are associated with autism can rewire the brain and influence how proteins in the brain interact with each other.
So, on this map, researchers mapped out 1,800 protein interactions in the brain that they tied back to autism, and 87 percent of those interactions had never been seen before. That's why this is a big deal.
And the researchers say in the future, this map could help inform the development of treatments. If those treatments target those protein interactions on the map. And when I say treatments, this is in reference to potentially treatments for profound autism. So we're talking about the most severe type of autism where people may need 24- hour care. That's also why this is a major, major deal. If this map can help develop and drive that type of research, it can take years to develop a treatment.
But researchers are so hopeful that the scientists who built this map, they told me that they're already looking into development programs based on their work, and advocacy groups also told me that they're excited about this and the potential here. But I spoke with the president of the Autism Science Foundation, Alison Singer, and she told me that while she's excited, she also hopes that this will encourage the administration to look into and invest in this type of research, because we know the second Trump administration has turned a spotlight on autism. And she said that she hopes they don't redirect funding or investments away from this research and instead focus on this type of research.
She told me in an email, quote, "redirecting limited federal research investments away from the strongest biological evidence will slow scientific progress precisely when these types of unprecedented opportunities for therapeutic development are emerging," end quote.
So, she really says this type of research can drive the potential advancement of therapies in the future.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Many Americans will soon be able to roll up their sleeves and get an updated COVID 19 vaccine. As Pfizer and BioNTech, as well as Moderna and the FDA, are saying that they have gotten this approval for their vaccines targeting the latest strain of the coronavirus.
So, who is eligible? Adults 65 and older and younger people with underlying health conditions. The CDC hasn't weighed in yet, but most medical organizations recommend getting a COVID shot, and insurance companies have indicated they will still cover the costs. Experts say the vaccines should become available next month.
[05:25:01]
All right, straight ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, a desperate search for survivors in Nepal, rescuers resume their search for any signs of life after monstrous flash floods devastate the area.
And a Massachusetts mom accused of murdering her three children waits to see if a jury will hold her criminally responsible for their deaths. More on the Lindsay Clancy trial straight ahead.
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