CIA official: Suspects in foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift shows aimed to kill ‘tens of thousands’
The CIA has revealed the suspects arrested for a foiled terror plot against Taylor Swift’s Vienna show planned to kill tens of thousands of fans. Deputy Director David Cohen said the agency, in collaboration with intelligence community partners, provided crucial information to Austrian authorities about an ISIS-connected group’s plans to attack Swift’s concerts.
“They were plotting to kill a huge number — tens of thousands of people at this concert, including, I am sure, many Americans — and were quite advanced in this,” Cohen said.
The plot aimed to cause mass casualties both inside and outside the stadium. Up to 95,000 people were expected to gather.
Austrian officials arrested three individuals: a 19-year-old Austrian main suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian, and an 18-year-old Iraqi. At least one suspect confessed to intending to kill “as many people as possible.”
During a raid on the main suspect’s home, authorities uncovered chemical substances, technical devices, bomb-making manuals, homemade explosives, detonators, and hydrogen peroxide.
The foiled plot led to the cancellation of Swift’s Vienna concerts in early August.
Swift broke her silence on the cancellations, expressing a complex mix of emotions including fear, guilt and also gratitude toward authorities.
She wrote on Instagram that, because of authorities “we were grieving concerts and not lives.”
Cohen did not specify how the CIA found out about the planned attack.
Controversy over Trump photos at Arlington National Cemetery
Former President Donald Trump’s running mate has harsh words for Vice President Kamala Harris amid controversy over Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery this week. And Israel’s military has launched a massive incursion into the West Bank as concerns grow over a broadening war. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
Controversy over Trump photos at Arlington National Cemetery
There’s controversy on the campaign trail after former President Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week. He was there to mark three years since the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Two Trump campaign officials had a “verbal and physical altercation” with a cemetery official during Monday’s, Aug. 26, ceremony honoring the 13 U.S. military service members killed in a bombing at Kabul’s airport in 2021, according to NPR.
Sources with knowledge of the incident told multiple news outlets the former president’s campaign had been warned not to take any pictures or videos in the area known as Section 60, but they did so anyway. Section 60 is the part of the cemetery dedicated to military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Cemetery officials released a statement confirming “an incident” had occurred and a report had been filed but did not give details about what had happened.
Late Tuesday night, Aug. 27, Trump posted a photo on his Truth Social platform of the Gold Star families who had invited him to the ceremony. In the post, family members said they had invited the campaign to film in Section 60.
However, cemetery officials say that wasn’t their call to make. Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within army national military cemeteries.
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, touched on the incident during a rally in Pennsylvania Wednesday, Aug. 28, dismissing the allegations.
“Three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job and there hasn’t been a single investigation or a single firing,” Vance said. “I don’t, I don’t — look, sometimes mistakes happen. That’s just the nature of government, the nature of military service. But to have those 13 Americans lose their lives and not fire a single person is disgraceful. Kamala Harris is disgraceful.”
Vance also blasted Trump’s Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, for how the Biden administration handled the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“And she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up?” he said. “She can… she can go to hell.”
The Harris campaign has declined to comment on Vance’s remarks as well as the reports of an altercation at Arlington.
Harris, Walz to sit down for first TV interview of campaign
Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will take part in their first joint interview since their campaign together began on Thursday, Aug. 29. This interview marks Harris’ first formal sit-down as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate and comes at a critical time as she faces criticism for her lack of media engagement.
Since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed her, Harris has been criticized for not participating in interviews or holding press conferences.
Their interview with CNN’s Dana Bash comes as the Harris campaign kicks off a bus tour of swing state Georgia. It will air at 9 p.m. ET.
At least 10 dead amid large-scale Israeli military operation in West Bank
The Israeli military launched its largest incursion into the occupied West Bank in decades on Wednesday. At least 10 Palestinian militants were killed in what the IDF described as a “counterterrorism operation.”
Hundreds of Israeli troops took part in the overnight raids targeting Palestinian militants after months of increasing attacks. These raids have raised concerns about the potential for the Israel-Hamas War to escalate further.
The IDF’s international spokesperson said in a briefing Israel had identified a quote “systematic strategy in Iran” of smuggling weapons and explosives into the West Bank.
The United Nations’ secretary general has called on Israel to immediately end the operation, saying it’s “fueling an already explosive situation and further undermining the Palestinian authority.”
The Supreme Court declined to reinstate the Biden administration’s latest student debt cancellation plan, leaving millions of borrowers in limbo as legal challenges continue. The justices turned down a request from the Justice Department to lift an appeals court order blocking the SAVE plan.
SAVE is an income-driven repayment program designed to lower monthly payments and offer earlier loan forgiveness. The save plan is part of President Biden’s broader effort to reduce the financial burden on about 43 million Americans with student debt.
The plan’s estimated cost has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it effectively forgives loans without proper authorization.
CrowdStrike offers $60M in credits; Delta reports $500M loss
CrowdStrike is offering $60 million in credits to customers impacted by a massive software outage earlier this year, but the true cost of the incident might be much higher. Delta Air Lines — the most affected client — claims it lost around $500 million due to the outage, which disrupted flights and operations.
Despite these challenges, CrowdStrike reported a strong quarter with $260.8 million dollars in adjusted earnings. That’s a 47% increase from last year.
However, the company has revised its full-year earnings forecast downward, reflecting the expected costs of customer compensation.
Moody’s downgraded CrowdStrike’s outlook from positive to neutral, raising concerns about the company’s ability to retain customer trust after the incident.
NASA’s Perseverance rover begins steep climb up Mars crater
NASA’s Perseverance rover has set off on a “road trip” of sorts across Mars. The rover has been wandering the red planet’s Jezero Crater since 2021.
So far, it’s found evidence of ancient flash floods and collected several rock samples, which NASA plans to bring back to Earth on a future mission. Now, the rover is expected to spend the next few months making a steep climb up to the western rim of the crater.
Scientists believe the 28-mile-wide crater was once home to a river delta and they’re hoping samples taken by Perseverance will help them piece together an idea of what Mars’ climate was like billions of years ago and whether it sustained life.
Israeli military rescues Oct. 7 hostage during ‘complex operation’
The Israeli military announced on Tuesday, Aug. 27, it rescued one hostage abducted more than 10 months ago during the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it freed Kaid Farhan Al-Qadi, in what it described as a “complex operation” in southern Gaza. The IDF did not provide further details on the operation, citing safety concerns for other hostages and national security.
Israeli authorities said Al-Qadi, a father of 11 who Hamas abducted from his security job at an Israeli factory, remained in stable condition and was being medically evaluated. They also said his family had been notified.
The Hostages Family Forum, an advocacy group for hostages still in captivity, called the rescue “nothing short of miraculous.” However, it offered a stark reminder.
“Military operations alone cannot free the remaining 108 hostages, who have suffered 326 days of abuse and terror,” the group said.
The group also pushed for the “international community to maintain pressure on Hamas” to accept a cease-fire deal to “release all hostages.”
Hamas fighters took more than 200 people captive during the group’s attack in Israel that left 1,200 Israelis dead last year.
This is the first rescue of an Israeli hostage since Israeli forces saved four captives on Saturday, June 8, in central Gaza during an intense Israeli military operation that left 274 people dead. The dead included 64 children, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
The ministry reported that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 92,000 have been injured since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas.
Oil tanker ablaze, adrift in Red Sea after Houthi attack, 150,000 tons of oil aboard
An oil tanker continues to burn in the Red Sea days after it was set ablaze by Houthi rebels. New photos released on Sunday, Aug. 25, show flames spilling from the hull of the Greek-flagged vessel, but there are no signs of an oil spill yet.
There is still a significant environmental hazard, with 150,000 tons of crude oil aboard. The crew abandoned the vessel on Thursday, Aug. 22.
British and U.S. forces have been working to stop Houthi drone and missile attacks. Analysts say they are unlikely to stop until there is a cease-fire in Gaza.
If an oil spill does occur, it has to the potential to be one of the largest from a ship in recorded history.
ISIS claims responsibility for deadly Germany stabbing attack
ISIS has now claimed responsibility for a deadly stabbing attack in Germany that happened during a festival on Friday night, Aug. 23. A 26-year-old man from Syria has been arrested in connection with the attack.
Police said the man turned himself in for the knife attack that left three people dead, and eight others injured. Officials say the man has “radical Islamist beliefs” and “wanted to kill as many people as possible.”
ISIS said in a statement on Saturday, the man is “a soldier for the Islamic state” who was “targeting Christians” in his attack.
The festival was commemorating the 650th anniversary of the western German city of Solingen.
Four arrested in connection with Israeli settler rampage in West Bank
Three adults and one minor were arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 21, in connection with a deadly Israeli settler rampage on the Palestinian village of Jit in the West Bank on Thursday, Aug. 15. The four suspects were arrested on suspicion of perpetrating “terrorist incidents” against Palestinians.
“This is a serious terrorist incident that included burning buildings and vehicles, throwing stones and throwing Molotov bottles,” Israel’s domestic security agency said in response to the arrests. “Also, a shooting that killed a Palestinian man and injured another.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed after the attack that the rioters would be “apprehended and tried.”
Violence across the region has been on the rise since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel.
The United Nations reported that nearly 1,200 Israeli settler attacks have been documented since Oct. 7. The agency said that the acts of violence have displaced nearly 1,600 Palestinians.
In recent months, the United States has pushed for Israel to address rising settler violence against Palestinians. The U.S. has also put sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to the violence.
She posted several images from her shows in Europe along with a caption, which read in part, “Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.
“Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows. In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that.”
Swift added she was heartened by the love and unity she saw in her fans who banded together. Swift’s Eras tour resumes in October in the U.S. and Canada.
Three teenagers have been detained in connection to the plot targeting Ernst Happel Stadium.
Gov. Walz accepts VP nomination, tells Democrats to ‘leave it on the field’
Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to address the Democratic National Convention (DNC) Thursday, Aug. 22 night, just hours after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz formally accepted the party’s nomination for vice president. And former President Donald Trump appeared behind bulletproof glass in his first outdoor rally since his attempted assassination. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024
Gov. Walz accepts VP nomination, tells Democrats to ‘leave it on the field’
Thursday, Aug. 22, is the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to officially accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for president during a primetime speech.
On Wednesday night, Aug. 21, her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, officially accepted the nod for vice president. During his keynote speech, Walz introduced himself to the American people with what he described as a “pep talk” like those he used to give during his time as a high school teacher and football coach.
“It’s the fourth quarter, we’re down a field goal, but we’re on offense and we’ve got the ball,” he said of Harris’ campaign. “We’re driving down the field, and boy, do we have the right team…There’ll be time to sleep when you’re dead. We’re going to leave it on the field.”
In his address, Walz spoke of his record as Minnesota’s governor, comparing his policies to that of Republican-led states.
“Other states were banning books from their schools; we were banishing hunger from ours,” Walz said. “We also protected reproductive freedom, because in Minnesota, we respect our neighbors and the personal choices they make. Even if we wouldn’t make those same choices for ourselves, we’ve got a golden rule: Mind your own damn business.”
Before Walz took the stage Wednesday, some of the biggest A-listers and veteran party leaders gave speeches to rally up the base. Former President Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Oprah Winfrey were among those who addressed the crowd.
“Let us choose loyalty to the Constitution over loyalty to any individual because that’s the best of America,” Winfrey said. “And let us choose optimism over cynicism and let us include inclusion over retribution.”
Harris will close out the convention Thursday, Aug. 22 night, with the last night’s theme being “for our future.”
Meanwhile former President Donald Trump will visit the border in Arizona on Thursday. His running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will campaign in Georgia.
Trump appears behind bulletproof glass for outdoor rally in North Carolina
On Wednesday, Aug, 21, former President Trump held his first outdoor rally since the assassination attempt on his life in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. The appearance came with an added layer of security.
A wall of bulletproof glass surrounded the podium as Trump and Vance addressed supporters in the battleground state of North Carolina. Their focus was on national security.
President Trump leaves the bulletproof glass protecting him to check on a supporter in the crowd who passed out.
At the same time, lawmakers continued their search into what went wrong on July 13 when Trump was shot in the ear during that assassination attempt. A bipartisan congressional task force met remotely with the FBI to discuss progress in the agency’s investigation.
RFK Jr. expected to drop out of 2024 race, endorse Trump
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to suspend his campaign by the end of the week. Kennedy is set to give a speech Friday, Aug. 23, on his “path forward” in the 2024 election during an event in Arizona.
This comes just days after his running mate said Kennedy has two options left: stay in the race or drop out and back former President Trump. It’s speculated Kennedy will announce his endorsement of Trump during the same speech on Friday — possibly in a joint appearance with the former president, who will also be campaigning in Arizona that day.
JD Vance has confirmed there’s been “a lot of communication back and forth” between the campaigns but nothing is set in stone.
5 bodies recovered after yacht sinks off coast of Sicily
2nd US Navy aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East amid Iran threat
A second U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, has arrived in the Middle East. It joins the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which was stationed in the area after Iran threatened to attack Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike on a top Hamas leader in Tehran on July 31.
The U.S. military’s Central Command shared video of F-35 jets taking off from the Lincoln’s deck on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and… pic.twitter.com/RKoJQshigR
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the Lincoln, as well as the guided missile submarine the USS Georgia, to the region earlier this month as tensions remain high over an expected attack by Iran on Israel following the killings of top Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. The Lincoln and Georgia add to the U.S. ships already in the area, including eight destroyers.
These military moves come as President Joe Biden stressed on a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday the urgent need to conclude talks on a cease-fire and hostage release plan. The White House said the president pointed to the upcoming discussions in Cairo as “crucial.”
Taylor Swift breaks her silence on canceled Vienna shows
Taylor Swift has broken her silence following the foiled terrorist plot that resulted in the cancellation of her Eras tour shows in Vienna, Austria. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Aug. 21, Swift reflected on the end of the European leg of her tour.
She posted several images from various shows in Europe along with a caption which read in part, “Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.”
Swift went on to say, “Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows. In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint, and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that.”
Swift added she was heartened by the love and unity she saw in her fans who banded together.
Hurricane Ernesto strengthens to Category 2 storm as it approaches Bermuda
Hurricane Ernesto intensified into a Category 2 storm and could strengthen even more on its way to Bermuda. And following the assassination attempt, the Secret Service plans to add additional security measures for former President Donald Trump’s outdoor rallies — including bulletproof glass. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.
Hurricane Ernesto strengthens to Category 2 storm as it approaches Bermuda
Hurricane Ernesto has upgraded into a Category 2 storm with sustained winds now over 100 miles per hour as it remains on track to cut through Bermuda. However, it’s still has hundreds of miles to travel before then, so it could strengthen to a Category 3 before making landfall.
The storm is expected to dump up to 10 inches of rain Puerto Rico also saw from the same storm system previously. Crews are still working to restore power to hundreds of thousands of people there.
This is likely to become the second major hurricane of the Atlantic season — much earlier than usual. Typically, the second major hurricane doesn’t happen until around mid-September.
Harris, Trump focus on economy on the campaign trail
The economy is taking center focus on the campaign trail this week for both presidential candidates. Vice President Kamala Harris will be in battleground state of North Carolina on Friday, Aug. 16, to give her first major economic policy speech since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.
The plan is said to revolve around lowering prices and ending price gouging.
Harris’ speech Friday comes after an appearance with President Joe Biden in Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 15. This was their first joint appearance since Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, he and his vice president discussed their administration’s efforts lowering the cost of prescription drugs.
“Few leaders in our nation have done more on so many issues, including to expand access to affordable health care like than Joe Biden,” Harris said.
https://twitter.com/VP/status/1824105013787967703
On the other side, former President Donald Trump held a press conference at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey Thursday. On display in the background were stacks of groceries with signs showing how much prices of household items and food have risen from inflation over the past few years.
“Harris has just declared that tackling inflation will be a day one priority, for her, it’s going to be day one,” the former president said. “But day one really for Kamala was three and a half years ago. Where has she been and why hasn’t she done it? Why hasn’t she done it?”
Looking ahead to this weekend, both Trump and Harris will be hitting more battleground territory, as they are both slated to make appearances in Pennsylvania for campaign events. Trump will hold a rally in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Aug. 17, and Harris will be launching a bus tour in Pittsburgh.
Secret Service to shield Trump with bulletproof glass at outdoor rallies
The Secret Service has found a way to let former President Trump go back to holding outdoor campaign events. They’ll be putting up a bulletproof glass barrier between him and the crowd.
The Secret Service already does that for sitting presidents and vice presidents, but since Trump is no longer in office it hasn’t been available to him. Law enforcement officials told news outlets not every outdoor event will require the bulletproof glass, but it’ll be used when there are issues at specific sites or a need for added security.
AP Images
This is just one of the security measures previously only available to active office holders that’s being added to Trump’s protection after a failed assassination attempt. Others include increased staffing, technology and threat analysis.
Israel-Hamas War cease-fire talks stretch into second day
Meanwhile, the British and French foreign ministers are making a joint trip to Israel in hopes of stopping the war from turning into a larger regional conflict.
The renewed push to end the war comes as the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said Thursday, Aug. 15, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000 and fears remain high that Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon will soon attack Israel in retaliation for the killings of top leaders.
Taylor Swift returns to the stage after canceled Vienna shows
After having to cancel three concerts on the Vienna, Austria part of her Eras tour over a foiled terror plot, Taylor Swift returned to the stage in London Thursday, Aug. 15 night. The show was held at Wembley Stadium with heightened security measures in place, though Wembley already has some strict measures to begin with.
Two suspects were arrested by authorities in connection with the Vienna plot, allegedly inspired by ISIS to carry out an attack outside the concert. Officials there said a major catastrophe was averted by law enforcement’s work.
Time magazine names 15-year-old scientist its 2024 Kid of the Year
Time magazine is honoring a scientist who created a bar of soap that has the potential to transform skin cancer treatment while still finding time to be part of his school’s marching band. Fifteen-year-old scientist Heman Bekele from Fairfax, Virginia has been named Time’s 2024 Kid of the Year.
Time put Bekele on its cover to recognize him for “developing an affordable compound-based bar of soap that could in the future be a new and more accessible way to deliver medication to treat skin cancers, including melanoma.”
The teen was already named America’s Top Young Scientist by 3M and Discovery Education last year for his invention.
Bekele told Time Magazine he is passionate about skin cancer research and finds it incredible that one day his bar of soap will be able to make a direct impact on somebody else’s life.
“I personally hope one day that skin cancer treating soap can turn into a more not for profit organization where we really can distribute it to people that need it the most,” Bekele said.
US preps for potential Iranian-backed attack on Israel as early as this week
Taylor Swift to resume Eras Tour in London amid heightened security
After canceling her Vienna shows because of an alleged ISIS-inspired terror plot, Taylor Swift is set to take the stage in London for her Eras Tour. Fans are eagerly awaiting her performances at Wembley Stadium while authorities have implemented stringent safety protocols to protect the estimated 90,000 attendees per show.
Swift is set to perform five shows at London’s Wembley Stadium starting Thursday, Aug. 15, and heightened security measures are in place, including additional ticket checks, restrictions on bag sizes, and a ban on items such as laptops and glass containers.
Fans without tickets will also not be allowed to congregate outside the venue.
The foiled plot led to the cancellation of all three of Swift’s shows in Vienna, affecting thousands of fans who had made travel arrangements.
Despite the disappointment, Swift’s fans have rallied together, offering support and exchanging tickets. The Swiftie community has even been praised for its devotion and generosity, with fans selling tickets at face value.
Three suspects, including two teenagers, were arrested in Austria for allegedly planning the ISIS-inspired attack on Swift’s Vienna concerts using explosives and knives.
Taylor Swift’s European leg of her record-breaking tour began in Paris in May, with the star continuing the perform across the continent. After her performances in London, Swift will travel back to North America to perform.
