CBS News to air QR code fact-check feature during vice presidential debate
CBS News will host a highly anticipated vice-presidential debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1, featuring Ohio Sen. JD Vance, R, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, D. In a first for the network, the debate will include a new interactive element that allows viewers to access additional context for the candidates’ answers.
During the broadcast, CBS viewers will see a QR code on their screens for extended periods. When scanned with a smartphone, the code will direct users to the CBS News website, where a team of about 20 journalists will provide what the network calls “real-time fact-checks” of the candidates’ statements.
Claudia Milne, CBS’s senior vice president for standards and practices, explained the intent behind this feature.
“The idea is to give people that second-screen experience,” Milne said. “The audience can get the takeaway they need in a responsible and smart way.” While CBS aims to encourage exchanges between the candidates, moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan will not be fact-checking during the debate.
CNN refrained from fact-checking in the first debate between Biden and Trump, while ABC moderators fact-checked the debate between Harris and Trump. CNN faced criticism from the Left for not fact-checking Trump, and ABC received backlash from the Right for its selective fact-checks.
In a change from presidential debates, both campaigns have agreed to keep the microphones live throughout the vice presidential debate, rather than muting them during the other candidate’s response.
The debate will start at 9 p.m. Eastern. All major networks will simulcast the event, but the fact-check QR code feature will be exclusive to CBS.
’60 Minutes’ in talks with Trump, Harris on interviews as debate hopes fade
With another debate looking unlikely between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, “60 Minutes” teased the possibility of two back-to-back interviews with the candidates. It is being billed as one last opportunity for the nominees to make their case for the presidency to a “mass audience” on Oct. 7, 29 days before Election Day, according to an Axios report on Sunday, Sept. 22.
In 2020, a “60 Minutes” episode featuring interviews with President Biden and Trump drew more than 17 million viewers, the biggest audience the show has seen in more than two years.
Trump said an interview is to be announced while Harris’ campaign is reportedly in talks with the show. The “60 Minutes” executive producer expressed confidence in a conversation with The Associated Press on Sept. 12, saying, “This is going to work.”
The show also invited both vice presidential candidates to participate. Meanwhile, Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., and Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, will debate on CBS on Oct. 1.
Trump declined a second debate with Harris on CNN which Harris accepted. It would have taken place on Oct. 23. More than 67 million viewers watched Trump and Harris debate on ABC on Sept. 10. Trump argues the CNN debate is too late since he’s done two debates already and votes are already being cast. Harris is skipping the Al Smith Dinner in Manhattan on Oct. 1, a traditional stop for presidential candidates.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
With just one day to go, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are preparing for the first debate between the presidential candidates. And Apple is reportedly set to unveil its latest iPhone models powered by artificial intelligence. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.
Trump, Harris prepare for presidential debate with 1 day to go
We’re now one day away from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump facing off on the debate stage. Tuesday night, Sept. 10, both presidential candidates will be in Philadelphia to answer questions over policies, address Americans’ concerns in the country and make their case for why voters should choose them in November.
Over the weekend, Harris was seen by reporters on a stroll with her husband Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. She ignored the reporters’ first few questions but when asked if she’s ready for the debate, she said, “I’m ready.”
Also over the weekend, the Harris-Walz campaign unveiled a website detailing policies for the first time. It outlines proposals on key issues such as the economy, crime and immigration.
Harris will be in Pittsburgh Monday, Sept. 9, preparing for the debate with a team of advisors.
Meanwhile, sources told ABC News that Trump is “holding informal policy sessions with a small team of advisers, including GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.”
Trump was on the campaign trail in Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 7, where he also spoke of the upcoming debate.
“Oh, they’re waiting for the debate. You know, if I destroy her in the debate, they’ll say, ‘Trump suffered a humiliating defeat tonight,’ no matter what,” Trump said.
Two of the latest battleground polls, one from the New York Times and the other CBS News, show razor thin margins between the two candidates in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
While the Biden administration cited the Doha Agreement, a Trump-era agreement with the Taliban to leave Afghanistan by May 2021, as a main reason for the withdrawal, the report says the decision “was not based on the security situation, the Doha Agreement, or the advice of his senior national security advisors or our allies. Rather, it was premised on the president’s longstanding and unyielding opinion that the United States should no longer be in Afghanistan.”
The report accuses the administration of missing warning signs pointing to how quickly Kabul would fall to the Taliban upon a U.S. withdrawal and says the planning of and calling for an evacuation was delayed.
Defense secretary says temporary budget would severely impact military
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is warning Congress that passing a temporary bill to keep the government open would have devastating impacts on the Defense Department. The bill would keep the federal government funded for another six months, but cap spending at 2024 levels.
In a letter to members of Congress on Sunday, Sept. 8, Austin said that the stop-gap would cut defense spending by more than $6 billion, compared to the 2025 spending proposal. Austin said that would impact thousands of defense programs and damage recruiting just as the military is starting to recover from the pandemic.
Congress needs to approve a stop-gap spending bill before the end of the budget year on Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
Manhunt continues for suspect in Kentucky freeway shooting
The suspect in a shooting on a Kentucky freeway that left seven people injured over the weekend remains on the loose. Police said Joseph A. Couch is the man responsible for opening fire Saturday, Sept. 7, on Interstate 75, striking at least 12 vehicles.
Police said in a Sunday night, Sept. 8, news briefing, Couch purchased his weapon legally the morning of the shooting. He also bought a thousand rounds of ammunition.
An AR-15 rifle was found not far from the shooting scene and Couch’s vehicle was located abandoned nearby.
California’s Line Fire consumes 20,000 acres, prompts mandatory evacuations
Firefighters in California are battling against more than a dozen wildfires fueled by a heatwave and high winds. The most intense blaze is the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, which has surged to over 20,000 acres and prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency and as of Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, the fire was zero percent contained. The blaze has injured three people, though details on their conditions are not yet available.
Thunderstorm winds are complicating firefighting efforts, causing unpredictable fire behavior, while critically dry vegetation and smoke continue to pose other challenges.
Officials said more thunderstorms on Monday could add fuel to the Line Fire.
Apple expected to reveal iPhone 16 lineup at ‘Glowtime’ event
It’s “‘Glowtime!” That’s the title Apple has given its event Monday where the tech giant is expected to unveil its latest lineup of iPhones.
Apple is set to reveal the iPhone 16 models. They will reportedly be the first ones powered by the company’s artificial intelligence program, Apple Intelligence, which was announced earlier this year.
The phones will also likely have larger screen displays and upgraded cameras.
Democrats try to pin Trump to Comstock Act, an abortion related law from 1800s
Comedian Kenan Thompson took the stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Wednesday, Aug. 21, to add some humor to a subject Democrats say makes them concerned: Project 2025. Thompson told voters if they vote for former President Donald Trump, they vote for the conservative policy agenda.
“You ever seen a document that could kill a small animal and democracy at the same time?” Kenan joked as he held up an oversized book.
Trump said he has nothing to do with Project 2025 and has criticized its authors. It was sponsored by the Heritage Foundation which stated, “Project 2025 does not speak for any candidate or campaign, in any capacity.”
However, Democrats are trying to convince voters that Project 2025 is a blueprint for a second Trump term.
“You know how when you download an app and there are hundreds of pages there that you don’t read, it’s just the terms and conditions, and you just click, agree, right?” Thompson asked the audience. “Well, these are the terms and conditions of a second Trump presidency.”
Thompson singled out one subject in particular — abortion.
“On page 459, Project 2025 resurrects a law from the 1800s called the Comstock Act to ban abortion nationwide and throw health care providers in jail,” Thompson said.
And that statement is true. On page 459, Project 2025 calls on the FDA to “stop promoting or approving mail-order abortions in violation of long-standing federal laws that prohibit the mailing and interstate carriage of abortion drugs.”
The law is still in effect as 18 USC 1461: Mailing obscene or crime-inciting matter.
“Every article or thing designed, adapted or intended for producing abortion, or for any indecent or immoral use…is declared to be non-mailable matter,” it states in part. “Anyone who knowingly mails such material shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, for the first such offense, and shall be fined…or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, for each such offense thereafter.”
Trump was asked about the Comstock Act during a CBS News interview on Monday, Aug. 19.
“You would not enforce the Comstock Act?” Trump was asked.
“I would not do that, no,” Trump answered.
Trump said abortion law should be decided at the state level.
“The federal government should have nothing to do with this issue,” Trump said.
Despite Trump continuously stating his opposition to abortion measures at the federal level, his opponents are trying to convince voters he would try to pass a nationwide abortion ban into law.
The ACLU wrote specifically about the Comstock Act, “Trump’s anti-abortion allies are trying to revive this zombie law, claiming that the Comstock Act is a dormant national abortion ban already on the books, just waiting to be enforced by a Trump Department of Justice.”
In 2023, the Justice Department issued guidance on enforcing the Comstock Act. It said the law only applies when the sender intends for the drugs they are shipping to be used illegally. The guidance added that because there are many ways in which the drugs can be used legally throughout the country.
“The mere mailing of such drugs to a particular jurisdiction is an insufficient basis for concluding that the sender intends them to be used unlawfully,” the DOJ said.
If Trump wins, his attorney general could issue new guidance. But Republicans have already lost races due to the abortion issue and voters have approved every pro-choice ballot measure since the Dobbs decision. So Republicans are aware that policies like that lose elections.
Plot twist: Billionaire media exec submits $4.3B bid for Paramount, reports say
Like any good TV show or movie, the saga of the sale of Paramount has a last-second plot twist. According to reports, billionaire media mogul Edgar Bronfman Jr., the former head of Warner Music Group, has submitted a bid of $4.3 billion to take control of Paramount Global — the parent company of CBS, MTV, and Paramount Pictures.
Last month, Skydance Media entered a deal to purchase the conglomerate for $8 billion, but that deal came with a catch: a 45-day window where Paramount could field other offers. Bronfman entered the fray just as that deadline was about to expire on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Paramount now has the option to extend that period. If it does, that would be a sign Paramount is seriously thinking about Bronfman’s offer.
Bronfman’s bid was submitted to a committee that was established to look over potential offers. It is expected to review this latest one on Wednesday.
Bronfman was the CEO of Warner Music Group from 2004-2012. He currently serves as the executive chairman of FuboTV, the sports streaming provider that just declared in a victory in court. z
A federal judge sided with FuboTV in its antitrust case against Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery over the launch of their sports service Venu. The three media giants said they plan to appeal the decision.
Biden highlights his legacy, passes torch to Harris in DNC address
In a speech lasting nearly an hour on the first night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), President Joe Biden defended his record as he passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris. And protesters took to the streets outside the DNC calling for an end to the war in Gaza. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Aug. 20, 2024.
Biden highlights his legacy, passes torch to Harris in DNC address
Former President Barack Obama is slated to be among the speakers on night two of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 20, as the party gears up for Vice President Kamala Harris to officially accept the nomination for president.
Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, were in the building Monday night, Aug. 19 for the first night. The vice president gave a surprise speech on the stage thanking President Joe Biden for his “historic leadership.” She then spoke of unity within the party.
“People from every corner of our country and every walk of life are here, united by our shared vision for the future of our country, and this November, we will come together and declare with one voice, as one people, we are moving forward,” Harris said.
And while the convention is largely focused on Harris, the first night was centered on President Biden as the party paid tribute to his decades-long political career. The crowd chanted in support of the president, giving him a 4-minute standing ovation before his speech. Biden took a moment to thank his supporters before reiterating his endorsement of Harris.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you,” the president said. “For 50 years, like many of you, I have given my heart and soul to our nation … It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your president.”
First lady Dr. Jill Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also spoke on the first night of the DNC.
“I wish my mother and Kamala’s mother could see us,” Clinton said. “This is our time, America. This is when we stand up. This is when we break through!”
Harris and Walz will both be back on the campaign trail in Wisconsin Tuesday, Aug. 20. That’s also where the Republican vice presidential pick Ohio Sen. JD Vance will be as former President Donald Trump continues his blitz across battleground states. Trump was in Pennsylvania Monday, Aug. 19, and will hold a rally in Michigan Tuesday afternoon.
Protesters attempt to breach barricade at DNC
While the Democratic Party rallied in unison inside Chicago’s United Center, it was a different story on the outside. Protesters broke through a fence set up by police near the site of the DNC as thousands took to the streets to protest the war in Gaza.
As the larger group marched, a few dozen broke away and tore down pieces of the security fence. They chanted “end the occupation now” and then “the whole world is watching!” just as anti-Vietnam war protesters did during the 1968 convention in Chicago when police clashed with protesters on live television.
On Monday, Aug. 19, police in riot gear formed a wall and arrested at least four people. Large protests are expected to continue over the next several days outside the DNC.
U.S. government says Iran was behind Trump campaign hack
A joint statement on Monday from the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the breach was part of Iran’s plans to interfere with the 2024 presidential election.
The FBI briefed former President Trump on their preliminary findings after news organizations reported receiving documents believed to have come from an account belonging to a senior Trump campaign official. Those turned out to be from a hacker.
Vice President Harris’ campaign said hackers were unsuccessful in their attempts against the Biden-Harris campaign.
Israel says bodies of 6 hostages retrieved in overnight operation
Israel said it has recovered the bodies of six hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terror attack. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s security agency said in a joint statement Tuesday the bodies were retrieved during an overnight military operation in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “hearts are aching over the terrible loss” and thanked those involved in the recovery efforts.
This comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Israel has accepted a proposal to bridge differences that are preventing a temporary cease-fire and the release of an unknown number of hostages. Now the U.S. and other world leaders helping to mediate the negotiation talks are urging Hamas to accept the proposal.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, Blinken will be leaving Israel and traveling to Egypt and Qatar, where Hamas has a political office.
It’s unclear if Hamas will sign off on the deal, as one of their stipulations has been a permanent truce, not just a temporary pause in fighting.
The high-stakes talks come as fears rise that the war could escalate into a bigger regional conflict, potentially by an attack on Israel led by Iran and its proxy groups.
Santos pleads guilty to federal charges, faces 6 years in prison
Former New York Congressman George Santos has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He’s agreed to pay more than $370,000 in restitution and could spend at least six years in prison for stealing from donors and using campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses.
The plea comes as his federal fraud case — which led to the Republican’s expulsion from Congress — was just weeks away from going to trial.
He’s now set to be sentenced in February.
Former head of Warner Music submits $4.3B bid for Paramount
Like any good TV show or movie, the saga of the sale of Paramount has a last-second plot twist. According to reports, billionaire media mogul Edgar Bronfman Jr., the former head of Warner Music Group, has submitted an offer of $4.3 billion to take control of Paramount Global — the parent company of CBS, MTV and Paramount Pictures.
Last month, Skydance Media entered a deal to purchase the conglomerate for $8 billion, but that deal came with a catch: a 45-day window where Paramount could field other offers. Bronfman entered the fray just as that deadline was about to expire on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Now Paramount has the option to extend that period. If it does, that would be a sign Paramount is seriously thinking about Bronfman’s offer.
Both vice presidential candidates, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., are preparing to face off in their first possible debate, scheduled for Oct. 1. This comes after CBS News proposed four potential dates for the debate: Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 1 and Oct. 8. Walz was quick to confirm his participation, posting on social media that he would be ready to take the stage on Oct. 1.
Vance, while not formally committed, has indicated that he is likely to join the debate. In an Aug. 14 interview with Fox News, he explained that his team is currently reviewing the debate’s rules and moderators before making a final decision. Vance said he wants to ensure the event will allow for a fair exchange of ideas adding that the importance of having a structured debate that provides both candidates with an equal platform.
“I strongly suspect we’re going to be there on October the 1st, but we’re not going to do one of these fake debates where they don’t actually have an audience there, where they don’t actually set the parameters in a way where we can have a good exchange of ideas,” Vance said. “In other words, we’re not going to walk into a fake news media garbage debate. We’re going to do a real debate, and if CBS agrees to it, then certainly we’ll do it.”
Vance also suggested that multiple debates would be beneficial, allowing voters to get a clearer picture of the contrasting visions offered by both campaigns.
The upcoming debate will provide voters with their first direct comparison of the two candidates’ positions on key issues. As the campaign heats up, the Oct. 1 event will be a critical moment in the race, offering insight into how both candidates plan to address topics ranging from the economy to national security.
Vance held a rally in Michigan on Wednesday, Aug. 14, and will speak at a veterans event Thursday, Aug. 15, in Pennsylvania. Walz held events in Denver and Boston on Wednesday and will be campaigning in Newport on Thursday.
Biden, Harris making first trip together since Biden dropped out of 2024 race
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will make their first trip together since the president dropped out of the 2024 race. And Columbia University’s president becomes the latest Ivy League leader to step down following concerns of antisemitism on college campuses. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.
Biden, Harris making first trip together since Biden dropped out of 2024 race
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 15, for their first joint appearance since Biden dropped out of the 2024 race. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump will be in Bedminster, New Jersey to host another news conference following his rally in the battleground state of North Carolina on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The Biden and Harris are expected to focus on efforts to lower prescription drug costs Thursday, Aug. 15. On Friday, Aug. 16, Harris will be in North Carolina to lay out her own economic agenda, which is said to include a plan to “tackle inflation” and “lower costs for middle class.”
The economy is taking center stage in the race this week, as Trump also laid out some of his plans for the economy when he was in North Carolina. He told rallygoers he plans to remove taxes on Social Security and claimed his administration would slash energy costs to ease inflation.
With the Democratic National Convention (DNC) starting on Aug. 19 in Chicago, Trump’s campaign said it plans to offer some sort of counter-programming. Harris’ presidential campaign is launching a $90 million advertising effort over the next three weeks. It’ll be her campaigns’ largest-yet investment in messaging to voters with just two and a half months left until Election Day.
Walz agrees to vice presidential debate on Oct. 1
On the vice presidential front, both Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn, and Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, have also been busy. Each hit the campaign trail in solo appearances in rallies and fundraising events across battleground states.
Vance held a rally in Michigan on Wednesday, Aug. 14, and will speak at a veterans event Thursday, Aug. 15 morning in Pennsylvania. Walz held events in Denver and Boston on Wednesday and will be campaigning in Newport on Thursday.
Vance has not formally accepted. He said in an interview he wants to know the debate rules and moderators first to avoid what he called a “fake news media garbage debate” but added he “strongly suspects” he will be there.
Columbia University’s president resigns in wake of recent protests
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik has resigned effective immediately. It comes months after student protests over the Israel-Hamas war turned destructive, leading to multiple arrests and widespread criticism over how the university handled the demonstrations.
In April, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested, and an on-campus tent encampment was removed by New York City police after Shafik gave them the go-ahead. Students pushed back, leading to weeks of protests and widespread tent encampments before students ultimately ended up occupying the university’s Hamilton Hall.
Shafik — who became the first woman and person of color to lead the university in 2023 — is the third Ivy League president to step down in recent months among concern over antisemitism on college campuses.
Hurricane Ernesto heads toward Bermuda after pounding Puerto Rico
A hurricane watch is in effect in Bermuda as Ernesto heads that way after dropping torrential rain on Puerto Rico. That storm also knocked out power to two-thirds of homes and businesses across the U.S. territory.
Ernesto, which is currently a Category 1 hurricane, is strengthening and could become a Category 3 hurricane by Friday, Aug. 16. Its center was expected to pass near Bermuda on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Cisco cuts 7% of workforce amid focus shift
Cisco Systems, one of the world’s largest makers of computer networking equipment, has announced its second round of job cuts this year. The tech company plans to cut about 7% of its workforce, which is expected to affect nearly 6,000 employees.
This comes after the company already laid off around 4,000 workers in February. Cisco said the jobs cuts come as the company pivots its focus to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Mars to buy Kellanova for $36 billion
The merger that’s shaking up the snack food aisle is now official. Candy giant Mars has acquired the snack food maker Kellanova.
Mars, the company behind M&Ms and Snickers, is buying Kellanova, the maker of Cheez-Its and Pringles, for nearly $36 billion.
The purchase is not expected to close until next year, but analysts have been discussing what’s in it for mars. Bank of America’s Peter Galbo told CNBC the deal gives Mars three things: Additional space in stores beyond the chocolate section, expansion in international markets and innovative new product opportunities.
“Then third and probably the most fun for the consumer, you’re going to get the fun innovation with the salty and sweet what we’ve seen out of Hershey over the past year with things like chocolate covered popcorn.” Galbo said. “Now Mars will have that opportunity with some of the Kellanova brands.”
The Associated Press suggested the deal could lead to possible combinations like Skittles-flavored Pop-Tarts or Snickers-flavored Pringles.
Biden gives first interview since dropping out of 2024 race
A “CBS Sunday Morning” interview that aired on Aug. 11 was President Joe Biden’s first since pulling out of the 2024 race. Biden explained a major reason why he made the decision was so the Democratic Party could focus on what he says is the real issue: defeating former President Donald Trump.
“Polls we had showed that it was neck and neck race, would’ve been down to the wire,” Biden said. “But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races, and I was concerned if I stayed in the race that would be the topic. You’d be interviewing me about ‘Why did Nancy Pelosi say, why did so-and-so say?’ and I thought it would be a distraction.”
He added, “Although it’s a great honor being president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do what I, the most important thing you can do and that is we must, we must defeat Trump.”
US sending submarine to Middle East amid new developments
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered a guided missile submarine to the Middle East. And Tom Cruise gives the Paris Olympics a Hollywood ending as we look toward the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.
U.S. sending submarine to Middle East amid new developments
The U.S. ordered the deployment of the USS Georgia, a “nuclear-powered submarine with cruise missiles,” to the Middle East. The movement of U.S. missile submarines is rarely revealed publicly — typically operating in near-complete secrecy — but the move comes as Israel is anticipating a potentially “large scale attack” by Iran in the next few days.
According to Axios, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday, Aug. 11, that Iran was making preparations for the attack on Israel. On Monday, Aug. 12 morning, Reuters reported Gallant’s ministry has confirmed a call between the two took place overnight.
The Israeli military has ordered more evacuations from part of a humanitarian safe zone it had set up in southwestern Gaza, saying they now plan to expand fighting. The IDF said there have been indications Hamas terrorists have a significant presence there now living among civilians.
These orders come a day after Israel struck a school-turned-shelter that the Hamas-run health ministry said killed at least 80 people. Israel claims Hamas fighters were hiding at the school compound.
Meanwhile, Hamas’ new leader said Sunday, Aug. 11, there would be no new negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza this week unless mediators from the U.S., Qatar and Egypt revert to a plan that would see a truce in the war.
In a “CBS Sunday Morning,” President Joe Biden said he believes a cease-fire deal is still possible before he leaves office.
Biden gives first interview since dropping out of 2024 race
The CBS interview on Sunday was President Biden’s first interview since pulling out of the 2024 race. Biden explained a major reason why he made that decision was so the Democratic Party could focus on what he says is the real issue: defeating former President Donald Trump.
“Polls we had showed that it was neck and neck race, would’ve been down to the wire,” Biden said. “But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races, and I was concerned if I stayed in the race that would be the topic. You’d be interviewing me about ‘Why did Nancy Pelosi say, why did so-and-so say?’ and I thought it would be a distraction.”
He added, “Although it’s a great honor being president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do the most important thing you can do, and that is we must, we must defeat Trump.”
Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, had multiple one-on-one interviews air on Sunday, Aug. 11. In the interviews, he spoke with CNN’s Dana Bash, CBS’ Margaret Brennan and ABC’s Jonathan Karl about former President Trump’s plans should he be elected again in 2024.
On CBS, Vance defended recent comments by the former president indicating he may be willing to roll back access to the abortion pill. He said Trump “wants abortion related decisions to be left to the states.”
On CNN, Vance commented on Vice President Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, saying he’s the one being “weird” after that term has been used by the Democratic Party to describe the Republican ticket.
“I think that you take a sequential approach to it,” Vance said. “You are going to have to deport some people. If you’re not willing to deport a lot of people, you’re not willing to have a border when there are 20 million illegal aliens in our country.”
“You start with what’s achievable, you do that, and then you go on to what’s achievable from there,” Vance added. “I think if you deport a lot of violent criminals, and frankly, if you make it harder to hire illegal labor — which undercuts the wages of American workers — I think you go a lot of the way to solving the illegal immigration problem. But look, President Trump is absolutely right; you cannot have a border unless you’re willing to deport some people. I think it’s interesting that people focus on, ‘Well, how do you deport 18 million people?’ Let’s start with one million, that’s where Kamala Harris has failed, and then we can go from there.”
Vance will be on the campaign trail on Wednesday, Aug. 14, making a stop in Michigan, a key swing state, while Trump is set address the economy in North Carolina.
Trump will be sitting down for an interview with Elon Musk on Monday night, Aug. 12.
Trump campaign says it was hacked by Iran
There are new concerns over foreign interference in the U.S. election after the Trump campaign said over the weekend it was hacked by Iran.
Both Politico and The Washington Post reported receiving internal Trump documents including research on Trump’s running mate, Sen. Vance, “from an anonymous email account.”
News of a campaign hack comes just as Microsoft said on Friday, Aug. 9, it discovered “evidence that Iranian hackers targeted an email account of a campaign official” back in June. While Microsoft didn’t specify what campaign was impacted in their announcement, a person familiar to the talks told The Washington Post it was Trump’s campaign.
The extent of any sort of hack is not currently known, but the Post said they received hundreds of pages labeled as “confidential.”
USA Gymnastics: Video shows Jordan Chiles should not be stripped of medal
There’s some controversy as the Summer Olympics in Paris reach their end. USA Gymnastics is challenging the ruling of Olympic officials that called for Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal.
Chiles won the medal after the individual floor exercise final last week, after her coach submitted a review of the judges’ scores.
However, the decision this weekend by the court of arbitration for sport said Chiles’ coach had asked for the review four seconds after a one-minute deadline to submit such a request had expired per competition rules, meaning Romania won the bronze.
On Sunday, Aug. 11, USA gymnastics fired back at that ruling, saying it has submitted time-stamped video evidence showing the request was made within the one minute window. Olympic officials have yet to respond to the latest twist in this gymnastics saga.
Tom Cruise closes Paris Olympics with Hollywood ending
Team USA led the way at the 2024 Olympics with the most total medals: 126. It also tied with China for most gold medals, with 40 each.
As Paris marked the conclusion of its Olympics, it was up to the next host city, Los Angeles, to close out the show in style and L.A. brought a Hollywood ending.
Actor Tom Cruise channeled his “Top Gun” and “Mission: Impossible” roles by jumping off the stadium’s roof in Paris.
He was then handed the Olympic flag by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Olympic great Simone Biles to take back to L.A.
The closing ceremony also saw the musician H.E.R. singing the national anthem, as well as performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Billie Eilish.
Coincidentally, Team USA taking home 126 medals is the most since the U.S. won 174 in 1984 — the last time the Olympics were played in Los Angeles.