US service members win big at the 2024 Paris Olympics: Weapon of the week
This week’s episode of Weapons and Warfare is dedicated to recognizing a few members of the U.S. military that recently represented the stars and stripes in a different way. Several U.S. military soldiers competed as Olympians in Paris for the 2024 Games.
The U.S. Army sent the largest contingent of athletes to the Games, with seven active-duty soldiers, one Army Reserve soldier and two veterans.
Leading the field was Army veteran Vincent Hancock, who brought home his fourth Olympic gold medal by winning men’s skeet shooting. Hancock joins the ranks of Michael Phelps, Carl Lewis and Katie Ledecky as the seven Olympians ever to win the same event in four separate Games. He also bagged a silver medal in the skeet mixed team event.
Newly promoted Army Staff Sgt. Sagen Maddalena also earned a medal. The Army shooting instructor, stationed at Ft. Moore, Georgia, brought home silver in the women’s 50-meter rifle three positions shooting final.
Army Reservist 1st Lt. Sam Kendricks won a silver medal as well in the pole vault, adding to the bronze medal he won in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Finally, Army Capt. Sammy Sullivan competed for the U.S. in women’s rugby sevens. The West Point graduate was a key contributor in the team’s win against Australia 14-12 to win the bronze medal. It was America’s first rugby medal in 100 years.
Chiles had initially scored a 13.666 for fifth place, but after an inquiry, she was bumped to 13.766 and into third place. As the Paris Olympics wrapped up, the Romanian gymnastics federation appealed. The CAS said it found Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, had requested the review after the one minute deadline to do so expired.
Over the weekend, the USAG sent Olympic officials what it called time-stamped video evidence that showed Landi requested the inquiry of Chiles’ score within the one minute mark. The organization said Chiles should be able to keep the bronze medal that was awarded to her following the score change.
However, the USAG later released a statement on Monday, Aug. 12, saying the CAS would not reconsider its ruling to strip Chiles of the medal. According to CAS rules, it does not allow for final decisions to be reconsidered despite “conclusive new evidence” being presented.
“We are deeply disappointed by the notification and will continue to pursue every possible avenue and appeal process, including to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, to ensure the just scoring, placement and medal award for Jordan,” USA Gymnastics said.
Elon Musk interviews Donald Trump for 2 hours on X after delay
Elon Musk sats down with former President Donald Trump in an interview on X that lasted two hours. And the impact of an earthquake in Los Angeles is caught on live TV. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.
Elon Musk interviews Donald Trump for 2 hours on X after delay
Former President Donald Trump sat down with tech billionaire Elon Musk for a conversation that was livestreamed on X Monday, Aug. 12. However, the broadcast began more than half an hour late due to a glitch, which Musk later attributed to “a cyber-attack.”
Despite the rocky start, the conversation went on for over two hours. Trump and Musk delved into topics ranging from immigration and inflation to the assassination attempt on Trump’s life, and some of Trump’s top priorities if he should win the November election.
One idea the former president threw out there was potentially dismantling the Department of Education.
“Well, think of education, we’re ranked at the bottom of every list, 40, 38,” Trump said. “In other words, horrible. And we spend more per pupil, more than anyone in the world. And one of my first acts — and this is where I need an Elon Musk, someone who has strength and smarts — I want to close the Department of Education and move education back to the states.”
The FBI is now investigating attempted hacks into both the Trump and Biden-Harris campaigns. The investigation includes attempted hacks targeting three Biden-Harris campaign staffers and Roger Stone, a former adviser to former President Trump.
Stone told The Washington Post his email had been compromised, but it’s not clear if attempts to hack the Biden campaign were successful. A Harris campaign official said it does not appear to have been hacked.
On Friday, Aug. 9, Microsoft issued a report showing Iranian operatives had been trying to interfere with the 2024 election. Trump’s campaign confirmed over the weekend it appears to have been impacted by those efforts after news outlets were sent hundreds of confidential pages.
White House confirms Biden will speak at DNC
The White House has confirmed President Joe Biden is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. Multiple media outlets are reporting other speakers will include former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The convention starts Monday, Aug. 19, and will go through Thursday, Aug. 22.
We're a week out from the start of the 2024 @DemConvention and content creators are getting excited to cover the convention from their own unique lens. @6figga_dilla talked to @saramachi at convention HQ last week about this historic moment for the city and the country. pic.twitter.com/oTxj8ro0Jy
Sources told ABC News the current plan is for Biden and Hillary Clinton to speak Monday night, then former President Obama on Tuesday, Aug. 20. On Wednesday, Aug. 21, it’ll be vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton. Finally, Harris is set to address the DNC on Thursday, Aug. 22.
That is a tentative schedule and could still change.
U.S. preps for potential Iranian-backed attack on Israel this week
Security Adviser John Kirby said the U.S. is prepared for “significant” attacks by Iran or its proxies in the Middle East as soon as this week. Kirby said the U.S. has bolstered its forces in the region.
Secretary of Defense Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike…
It’s a rare move to publicly announce such military moves; a tactic some say is meant to de-escalate tensions in the region and deter Iran from possibly attacking.
Concerns of an attack come after Iran and Hamas accused Israel of carrying out the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran in July.
U.S. troops suffer minor injuries in Syrian drone attack
Defense officials said several U.S. service members suffered minor injuries in a drone attack in Syria on Friday, Aug. 9. The drone targeted a landing zone which hosts U.S. and partner forces in the global coalition to defeat ISIS
U.S. Central Command said it’s still evaluating the damage, but initial assessments show there was minor damage to one set of facilities.
This attack was the second within a week to injure U.S. personnel who are part of the coalition to defeat ISIS.
This latest California quake came almost a week after a magnitude 5.2 quake struck Bakersfield.
Team USA’s Jordan Chiles to lose bronze medal after appeal denied
The latest turn in the Olympic medal controversy involving gymnast Jordan Chiles did not go Team USA’s way. On Monday, Aug. 12, the USA Gymnastics Organization sent Olympic officials what it called time-stamped video evidence that showed Chiles’ coach requested a review of her score within the allotted one minute, meaning Chiles should be able to keep the bronze medal that was awarded to her following a score change.
However, USA Gymnastics released a statement later Monday saying the Court of Arbitration for Sport would not reconsider its ruling to strip Chiles of the medal.
But the twists to this saga may not be over just yet though.
USA Gymnastics said it will continue to “pursue every possible avenue and appeal process” including the Swiss Federal Tribunal to “ensure the just scoring, placement and medal award for Jordan.”
New twist in US gymnast Jordan Chiles’ Olympic medal saga
USA Gymnastics is challenging the ruling of Olympic officials that called for Team USA’s Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal she won during the individual floor exercise final last week. Chiles was awarded the medal after her coach, Cecile Landi, submitted a review of the judges’ scores.
However, the decision this weekend by the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Landi had asked for the review four seconds after a one-minute deadline to submit such a request had expired, per competition rules. This meant Romania’s Ana Barbosu won the bronze.
But on Sunday, Aug. 11, USA Gymnastics fired back at that ruling, saying it submitted time-stamped video evidence showing the request was made within the one minute mark — 47 seconds after the score was announced, to be exact.
USA Gymnastics has submitted additional evidence to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. pic.twitter.com/GOKymbAtcq
“The time-stamped, video evidence submitted by USA Gymnastics Sunday evening shows Landi first stated her request to file an inquiry at the inquiry table 47 seconds after the score is posted, followed by a second statement 55 seconds after the score was originally posted,” USA Gymnastics’ statement read.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee issued a statement of its own in support of Chiles.
“We firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal, and there were critical errors in both the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent CAS appeal process that need to be addressed,” the USOPC said.
Olympic officials have yet to respond to the latest twist in this gymnastics saga. Previously, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said in a statement it would contact the USOPC regarding the return of Chiles’ bronze and will work with the Romanian Olympic Committee to discuss a reallocation ceremony honoring Barbosu.
On Saturday, Chiles said she was taking a break from social media, posting to Instagram she was “taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health, thank you.” Her teammate, Simone Biles, sending a message saying “Sending you so much love Jordan. Keep your chin up ‘Olympic champ’ we love you.”
Biles and Chiles were part of a golden moment together earlier in the games. Team USA took home the gold medal in the women’s gymnastics team final.
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.
Trump agrees to ABC News debate with Harris, proposes 2 more
The debate is on. Former President Donald Trump has agreed to the ABC News debate with Vice President Kamala Harris and proposed two more. And bodycam footage has been released showing the police response to the assassination attempt during the former president’s rally in July. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.
Trump agrees to ABC News debate with Harris, proposes 2 more debates
Former President Donald Trump has recommitted to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris after initially requesting a change of time and place given the change at the top of the Democratic ticket. Trump made the announcement during a news conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday, Aug. 8.
ABC News has confirmed Trump and Harris have agreed to debate on Sept. 10, setting up what is likely to be a high-stakes showdown in an already contentious election season.
His decision to debate on ABC marks a notable change of heart given it was just five days ago he announced the agreement with ABC was terminated. Trump originally suggested he would only debate if Harris appeared on Fox News on Sept. 4.
Trump is requesting Harris accept two additional debate proposals; one would be held on Fox and the other on NBC.
When asked by reporters if he will still do the ABC debate even if Harris turns down the idea of multiple debates, Trump said he didn’t know how that’s going to work and reiterated the need for multiple debates with a new Democratic presidential nominee.
As we saw in June, presidential debates have high stakes. President Joe Biden’s performance at his debate with Trump set in motion calls for his withdrawal and the eventual end to his re-election campaign.
The ABC debate was originally slated to be the second and final debate between Biden and Trump.
Harris released a statement saying she’s glad Trump committed to meeting her on stage.
Harris will be in Arizona for a campaign rally on Friday, Aug. 9. Trump will be in Montana for a rally of his own and fundraiser event.
Bodycam video released of police response to Trump assassination attempt
It’s been nearly a month since the assassination attempt on former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Within that month, questions have been swirling leading to multiple investigations and hearings on Capitol Hill and a change in leadership at the Secret Service.
Now, there is new information directly through the lens of Butler police bodycam. It shows officers responding to the reports of a threat on top of the unsecured building where the shooter propped himself up to take aim.
In newly released body camera video, there is footage of the moments leading up to the shooting, but it’s the audio in the immediate aftermath of the shooting that is providing further confirmation of a major security lapse.
The incident left one rally goer dead and Trump shot in the ear in a near-fatal hit.
The public search for accountability has led to agencies across local, state, and federal levels to finger-point and shift the blame. There are still several ongoing investigations into how it happened in the first place and how to prevent it from happening again.
U.S., Egypt, Qatar call for renewed Israel-Hamas ceasefire discussions
The U.S., Egypt and Qatar are calling for Israel and Hamas to resume cease-fire talks, calling them “urgent.” Fears are growing over a widening Middle East war following high-profile assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been mediating cease-fire discussions since they began.
They want the talks to take place in either Doha or Cairo next Thursday, Aug. 15.
Early Friday, Aug. 9, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated Israel will take part in those discussions. Hamas’ newly chosen leader has not indicated if the terror group is willing to join.
Columbia University COO’s home vandalized with antisemitic imagery; 3 top admins resign over antisemitic texts
Inverted triangles, which have been used by Hamas to identify Israeli targets and Nazis to tag prisoners during the Holocaust, were painted on the entranceway to Cas Holloway’s apartment building.
Columbia confirmed the resignations of the school’s dean of undergraduate student life, associate dean for student and family support, and vice dean and chief administrative officer after it came to light they exchanged antisemitic messages during an on-campus event about Jewish life at the school.
Paramount laying off 15% of U.S. workforce
Media conglomerate Paramount is laying off 15% of its U.S. workforce. The layoffs, which will impact around 2,000 staffers, are part of Paramount’s bid to cut $500 million in annual costs ahead of its merger with SkyDance Media.
Paramount says it also plans to write down $6 billion worth of its cable television networks.
Steph Curry leads Team USA to rally past Serbia; Noah Lyles wins bronze in 200-meter after testing positive for COVID
The U.S added to its Olympic medal count on Thursday, Aug. 9. Team USA now has a total of 103 medals so far as the Paris games wind down.
The men’s basketball team will be hoping to bring home gold against host France in the final. Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James led the team to a come-from-behind victory over Serbia on Thursday after being down 17 points, winning 95 to 91.
On the track, it was not the result American sprinter Noah Lyles was hoping for in the men’s 200-meter final. Lyles, who won his first Olympic gold on Sunday, Aug. 4, in the 100-meter, finished third this time behind Letsile Tebogo of Botswana and USA teammate Kenny Bednarek.
Lyles was taken away in a wheelchair after crossing the finish line. It was later revealed he had been diagnosed with COVID-19 two days earlier.
The USA track and field organization said it followed all Olympic protocols to allow Lyles to compete.
The track star said he is proud of himself to have been able to still win a bronze medal. He posted on Instagram, “It is not the Olympics I dreamed of, but it has left me with so much joy in my heart.”
Prosecutors say Romanian businessman hired Hunter Biden to ‘influence’ US policy
With a month to go until Hunter Biden’s federal tax trial, prosecutors are making new allegations the president’s son accepted payments from a Romanian businessman to influence U.S. policy. And new details are emerging about the terror plot that resulted in the cancellation of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Austria. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.
Prosecutors say Romanian businessman hired Hunter Biden to ‘influence’ U.S. policy
New details are coming out of Hunter Biden’s federal tax case. While the trial doesn’t begin until September, there’s a new court filing from the special counsel laying out a new allegation the prosecution plans to bring up.
Federal prosecutors allege the president’s son was compensated by a Romanian businessman who was trying to influence U.S. policy and end a local investigation of him in Romania.
According to the Wednesday, Aug. 7 filing, the special counsel intends to go after Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings even more, including his association with Burisma — a Ukrainian natural gas company — and an energy company in China.
The prosecution said it evidence will show he “performed almost no work in exchange for millions of dollars” from these entities and will speak to Hunter Biden’s “state of mind” and “intent” during the years in question.
Hunter Biden’s team had requested certain evidence be omitted from trial, questioning its relevance to the federal tax charges, which include failing to pay taxes, failing to file, and filing a fraudulent form.
He’s charged with three felonies and six misdemeanors in the tax case. The president’s youngest son is accused of failing to pay more than a million dollars in taxes between 2016 and 2019. Prosecutors allege he used the funds to live lavishly, including spending millions on drugs, escorts and luxury cars. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty in the case.
This is separate from Hunter Biden’s federal gun case where he was convicted in June of lying about his illegal drug use while filling out a form to purchase a gun. He has not been sentenced yet in that case.
Biden ‘not confident’ in peaceful transfer of power if Trump loses election
We’re getting a preview of President Joe Biden’s one-on-one interview with CBS News. While the full interview will air on Sunday, Aug. 11, there’s a clip that is getting a lot of attention Thursday morning, Aug. 8.
CBS News reporter Robert Costa asked the president if he’s confident there will be a peaceful transfer of power in January.
“If Trump loses, I’m not confident at all,” Biden said. “He means what he says, he means it, all the stuff about if we lose there will be a bloodbath.”
He added, “You can’t love your country only when you win.”
Trump’s “bloodbath” comments came during a rally in March. The former president has said he was referring to a “bloodbath” in the economy and auto industry if he loses the 2024 election.
Three months later, Trump was asked during the presidential debate on June 27 whether he would accept the 2024 election results. He said as long as it’s a “fair and legal” election, he’ll accept whatever the results are come November.
Taylor Swift shows in Austria canceled over foiled terror plot
Three of Taylor Swift’s concerts set for Vienna, Austria have been canceled after authorities say they foiled a terror attack planned for that leg of her Eras Tour. Austrian police said they’ve arrested two suspects who they say are ISIS sympathizers and became “radicalized by the internet.”
Police chemical substances and technical devices were found at the home of a 19-year-old suspect and are being evaluated. Authorities also said they’ve made “further detentions” but didn’t give any more details.
The concert’s promoter said all tickets for the canceled shows will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.
Family of French explorer killed in Titan catastrophe files $50M lawsuit
The family of French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet who died when the Titan submersible imploded during a deep dive to the wreckage of the Titanic is suing for more than $50 million. They said the crew of five people on board experienced “terror and mental anguish” before the disaster and accuse OceanGate, the sub’s operator, of gross negligence.
After the June 2023 incident when the vessel imploded due to catastrophic pressure loss, it was revealed that industry experts had raised serious safety concerns about the project years earlier.
The lawsuit also alleges OceanGate failed to disclose the Titan’s flaws and purposely concealed any issues from French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet. It also saysNargeolet — who had taken part in 37 dives to the Titanic wreckage, more than anyone else in the world — would not have taken the voyage if he’d known about the Titan’s issues.
The implosion killed four other people, including OceanGate’s CEO. This is the first lawsuit to be filed in connection with the disaster.
Intel shareholders sue after stock plunges over job and dividend cuts
Intel’s shareholders are suing a chip maker. Intel said the company hid problems with its manufacturing business ahead of announced layoffs and poor earnings.
The lawsuit accuses Intel, its CEO, and CFO of making false and misleading statements that “artificially inflated” the company’s stock price prior to announcing a loss of more than a billion dollars between April and June of 2024.
American Quincy Hall comes from behind to win men’s 400-meter final
Team USA won more medals on day 12 of the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, Aug. 7. The team picked up three more gold medals.
Team USA now tops the charts with 27 gold medals and 94 medals overall.
On Wednesday, the U.S. won wrestling, women’s cycling, and in track and field — even though it looked like sprinter Quincy Hall was out of the running with just seconds to go in the race.
Hall pulled off an amazing comeback with just a quarter of the 400-meter final to go. He fell into fourth place as the runners rounded the last bend but then picked up the pace and passed his competition to cross the finish line first.
Phelps calls for lifetime ban for athletes caught doping after Olympic scandal
The most decorated Olympian of all time wants to ban anyone caught doping from competing in the Games. Swimmer Michael Phelps, the 23-time Olympic medalist, said the Olympics should enact a one-and-done policy for athletes who test positive for banned substances.
“If you test positive, you should never be allowed to come back and compete again, cut and dry,” Phelps said.
Phelps has been outspoken on the topic for several years. In June, he testified on Capitol Hill about doping and enacting bans.
“So with this, I urge you the members of Congress to engage in the fight against doping,” Phelps said in his testimony to Congress. “We can uphold the values and fairness and integrity that are the cornerstone of Olympic and Paralympic sports. Let us work together to ensure that every athlete regardless of where they are from has the opportunity to compete fairly and achieve their dreams.”
2021 doping scandal unveiled years later
Phelps reiterated his stance as a new Chinese doping scandal overshadowed the recently completed swimming events at the Paris Games.
While the scandal had to do with the Tokyo Games in 2021, specifics of the case were not revealed until The New York Times published its investigation in April 2024.
Two governing bodies, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and World Aquatics, acknowledged that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Games. However, officials allowed them to compete.
Five of the athletes medaled and three won gold at the Games.
Both agencies accepted the Chinese explanation that the athletes consumed tainted food.
Doping problems persist leading up to the Paris Games
Phelps is not alone in speaking out against doping. British swimmer Adam Peaty also aired his frustration with the Chinese doping situation.
Peaty’s team came in fourth place in the men’s 4×100 meter freestyle relay at the Paris Games. China’s team won gold, and two of the swimmers on that team were athletes that tested positive for banned substances in Tokyo.
“So what is going to come out in next month?” Peaty said. “What’s the surprise under the Christmas tree? But I want to make sure that the future British swimmers and future swimmers in general around the world are racing fair and are winning fair.”
“How hard is it?” Peaty continued. “All you got to do is train harder, you don’t have to take anything, just train harder. It does get me a bit emotional. It does fill me with emotion because I know how hard I have to work for a silver or a gold medal. It’s just I want to make sure that the sport is protected. It’s coming from a place of love and also a place of anger.”
World Aquatics officials said they tested Chinese swimmers more than swimmers from any other country. On average, every Chinese swimmer has participated in 21 substance tests since the start of 2024.
However, some said the testing in Paris went too far. According to CNN, China’s national swim team nutritionists said the team underwent nearly 200 tests during the 2024 Games.
Phelps and Peaty’s comments also came as additional doping controversies involving Chinese swimmers surfaced. The New York Times’ investigation also said two other Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned substances in 2022. Again, Chinese officials said the swimmers ate tainted food. One of those swimmers competed in Paris.
Harris introduces Walz; Vance speaks to supporters during Philly rallies
Vice President Kamala Harris introduced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate while Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance spoke to supporters during separate rallies in Philadelphia. And U.S. officials say a Pakistani national with ties to the Iranian government has been arrested in connection with a plot to kill American politicians. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.
Harris introduces Walz; Vance speaks to supporters during Philly rallies
Both major political parties made a showing in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Vice President Kamala Harris and her newly picked running mate Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., held their first rally together. In a dueling rally nearby, former President Donald Trump’s running mate Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, made his first stop in the city since joining the Republican ticket.
Harris joined Walz on stage in front of thousands of people at a rally and in front of millions of voters across the country who tuned in.
Polls show 71% of Americans are not familiar with Walz. The Minnesota governor got the opportunity to introduce himself in battleground territory and took aim at the vice presidential pick on the other side.
“Like all regular people, I grew up with in the heartland,” Walz told supporters. “J.D. studied at Yale, had his career funded by Silicon Valley billionaires and then wrote a bestseller trashing that community. Come on. That’s not what middle America is. And I got to tell you, I can’t wait to debate the guy.”
At Vance’s rally, he responded to the news of Walz being Harris’ selection for vice president.
“Tim Walz’s record is a joke,” Vance said. “He’s been one of the most far left radicals in the entire United States government at any level. But I think that what Tim Walz’s selection says is that Kamala Harris has bent the knee to the far left of her party, which is what she always does.”
Vance also criticized Harris for not doing a sit-down interview with the media since becoming the presumptive nominee of the Democrat Party 17 days ago.
Harris will be hitting at least five battleground states in the days to come as the Democratic National Convention (DNC) approaches later in August.
Trump announces ‘major interview’ with Elon Musk
Former President Trump has announced he will be sitting down with Elon Musk for an interview on Monday, Aug. 12. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform Tuesday, Aug. 6, saying, “On Monday night [Aug. 12] I’ll be doing a major interview with Elon Musk — details to follow.”
In July, the tech mogul endorsed Trump following the assassination attempt on the former president during a rally in Pennsylvania.
Pakistani national with ties to Iran charged in Trump assassination plot
The Department of Justice says it’s arrested a Pakistani national with ties to the Iranian government in connection with a plot to kill American politicians and officials. Multiple sources said one of the main targets was former President Trump.
Asif Merchant, 46, is charged with murder for hire after DOJ officials said he flew from Pakistan to the U.S. to recruit hitmen for the plot. They said one of the so-called “hitmen” he contacted was a confidential informant for the FBI.
Trump’s security was increased in June after authorities learned of an Iranian plot to kill him. This was before the assassination attempt at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally and is not related to those events, according to the FBI.
Officials said there’s been dozens of aftershocks ranging in magnitude between 2.5 and 4.5 following the initial rumblings that began around 9 p.m. local time. Seismologists called it “a pretty active sequence in such a short amount of time.”
Hamas names Oct. 7 attack mastermind as new leader
Hamas has named its new leader following the assassination of former leader Ismail Haniyehin Iran. Yahyah Sinwar, known as the mastermind behind the Oct. 7 attack, is now leading the terror group.
The move is likely to provoke Israel, which has had Sinwar at the top of its most wanted list since that deadly attack ten months ago. The Israeli military responded to Sinwar’s appointment, vowing to take him out as well.
Cori Bush loses Missouri primary; Michigan Senate race is set
Media projections show Democratic congresswoman and “squad” member Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., lost her primary race in Missouri Tuesday, Aug. 6. Bush has been a vocal critic of Israel in its war against Hamas, and pro-Israel groups spent upwards of $10 million on efforts to unseat her.
In Michigan, a battleground territory, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers won the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat, setting him up to face Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin in the November election.
Restaurant chain Buca di Beppo files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The restaurant chain Buca di Beppo has filed for bankruptcy protection. The privately owned company says revenue never fully recovered after the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of its bankruptcy, the three-decade-old business said it began closing underperforming restaurants this year, including a dozen locations in July alone.
It will also restructure the rest of its 44 locations, but said it will continue to serve its family-size portions that has been Buca’s staple.
Hocker, Thomas bring home gold for the US on the track
The U.S. took home two Olympic gold medals on the track in Paris on Tuesday. That brings the team’s gold medal count to 24 and the overall total to 86.
First, Cole Hocker won the men’s 1,500-meter relay, coming from behind in the final seconds to set an Olympic record at 3 minutes and 27.65 seconds.
Then Gabby Thomas earned her first Olympic gold medal, winning the women’s 200-meter final after taking the bronze back in Tokyo. Thomas crossed the finish line in 21.83 seconds to give the U.S. its first gold in the event in 12 years.
US service members injured in suspected rocket attack at Iraqi base
Multiple service members are injured after a U.S. air base in Iraq was hit in a suspected rocket attack Monday. And Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to announce her VP pick before holding a rally in Philly. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024.
U.S. service members injured in suspected rocket attack at Iraqi base
A U.S. base in Iraq was hit Monday, Aug. 5, in what’s being reported as a “suspected rocket attack.” According to the Department of Defense, several U.S. personnel were injured in the incident, however, no details were given as to how many troops were injured and the extent of those injuries.
U.S. bases have been previously targeted by Iran-backed proxy groups over the past several years, but those attacks have only intensified since the Israel-Hamas War began last October.
Meanwhile, the suspense is building in the Middle East as Israel is bracing for a potential multi-day attack from Iran and Hezbollah. Iran’s government has said its proxy groups — from Hezbollah to the Houthis — will participate in its retaliatory hit against Israel.
According to Axios, President Joe Biden was briefed Monday, Aug. 5, and told the timing and details of Iran’s planned assault are still unclear.
Nine U.N. Workers fired over possible involvement in Hamas attack on Israel
Nine United Nations workers in Gaza have been fired after an investigation found they may have taken part in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The U.N. investigation was ordered in January after Israel said employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency participated in the attack.
The U.N. investigated 19 relief workers and said it found enough evidence on nine of them to conclude they may have been involved in the attack that launched the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.
Vice President Kamala Harris expected to announce VP pick ahead of Philly rally
Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to formally announce her running mate Tuesday, Aug. 6. The announcement may come in the form of a pre-taped video that Harris’ campaign will drop.
This comes after she secured 99% of state delegate votes from the Democratic National Convention’s “virtual roll call” to officially get the bid for the party’s presidential nominee.
Once her vice president is chosen, the two will set out on a seven-state battleground tour beginning in Pennsylvania Tuesday, Aug. 6, afternoon at a joint rally in Philadelphia.
Former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, is also slated to appear at a campaign event Tuesday in Philadelphia.
At least 5 dead as Tropical Storm Debby makes its way back to Atlantic
Hurricane Debby has weakened back into a tropical storm but it’s still packing a punch as it slowly makes its way up Georgia and into South Carolina. It’s been a deadly storm with five people losing their lives, so far — four in Florida and one in Georgia.
More than 150,000 people are without power, most in Florida, but the outages have already started to reach South Carolina.
Debby is expected to unleash potentially record rainfall in Georgia and South Carolina — up to 30 inches in some areas — as it moves offshore into the Atlantic later Tuesday, Aug. 6, morning. Forecasters said the storm could strengthen again once it does move offshore and could make landfall again in South Carolina by Thursday, Aug. 8, before moving into North Carolina Friday, Aug. 9.
Judge says Google is an ‘illegal monopoly’ in antitrust lawsuit ruling
A decision has come down in the nation’s largest antitrust showdown in more than 20 years. The Department of Justice has been handed a major victory over Google.
In the decision, the judge said Google has been exploiting its widely used search engine to crush competition. This included paying cellphone makers like Apple and Samsung $26 billion in 2021 to make Google their default search engine.
The judge will later decide what changes and penalties should be imposed.
Google and its parent company, Alphabet, have released a statement condemning the ruling and said they plan to appeal.
Biles wins one more Olympic medal on final day of gymnastics
It was a bittersweet day for Olympic great Simone Biles on the final day of gymnastics at the Paris Games on Monday, Aug. 5. Biles started the day’s competitions by falling off the balance beam and missing the podium, as did her teammate Suni Lee.
Later in the day, Biles’ performance on floor exercises earned her silver — her 11th Olympic medal. Team USA’s Jordan Chiles took the bronze, after originally placing 5th in the competition. After her coaches called for a review, Chiles received a tenth of a point back on her final score earning her the medal.