NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, July 25, 2024

Episode Date: July 26, 2024

Harris says she's ready to debate as Trump ramps up attack; Biden and Harris press for a Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal in meetings with Netanyahu; Northern California wildfire forces hundreds to evacuate; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the new race for the White House heating up as Kamala Harris says she's ready to debate Donald Trump. The vice president accusing Mr. Trump of backpedaling from his commitment to debate in September. The former president going on the attack, calling Harris a radical and vowing, quote, I'm not going to be nice. And the brand new polling. How do Harris and Trump match up? Also tonight, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, a day after his fiery address to Congress. President Biden pushing him to accept a ceasefire in Gaza. And his separate meeting with Kamala Harris, the vice president today,

condemning protests during Netanyahu's speech as despicable. The raging wildfire in Northern California exploding to 71,000 acres in less than 24 hours. Multiple homes destroyed, emergency evacuations ordered, and now word of an arrest for starting that inferno. Southwest Airlines, famous for its open seating, announcing its biggest change in more than 50 years. The Boeing Starliner astronauts now on day 50 of what was supposed to be a 10-day mission, and NASA confirming today, still no return date. And the final countdown here in Paris, just one day until the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony that promises to be unlike anything you've seen before. This is NBC Nightly News reporting tonight from the Olympics in Paris. Here is Lester Holt.

And good evening tonight from Paris. I'm Tom Yamas in for Lester. As this city gets ready for the world to focus on the Olympics with the opening ceremony less than 24 hours away in the U.S. The sprint to November is on. Vice President Harris telling former President Donald Trump she wants a debate saying, I'm ready, let's go. Former President Trump saying he won't be nice and painting her as a radical liberal, joining the fray Beyonce, or at least her music, and former President Obama set to endorse all of it coming after President Biden's historic Oval Office address, saying his decision not to run is about the very future of democracy. It's where we start tonight with Chief White House Correspondent Peter Alexander.

Tonight, Vice President Harris welcoming an onstage showdown with former President Trump, accusing him of backpedaling from his previous commitment to a September debate. I'm ready to debate Donald Trump. I think the voters deserve to see the split screen that exists in this race on a debate stage. And so I'm ready. Let's go. Just this week, Mr. Trump said he'd be willing to do more than one debate with Ms. Harris, but appeared to balk at the current plan. I agree to a debate with Joe Biden, but I want to debate her and she'll be no different

because they have the same policies. Their head to head is quickly heating up. New polling shows the vice president has narrowed Mr. Trump's advantage over President Biden. The race effectively a toss up on the economy. Harris today slamming the former president's proposals as tax breaks for billionaires. America has tried these failed economic policies before. But we are not going back. We are not going back.

Mr. Trump today attacking the vice president. She's the most radical person probably that we've had in office, let alone the office of the presidency. In Charlotte last night, casting aside his promise from last week's Republican convention that he'd strike a more unifying tone. He can't be too nice. He really can't be. So if you don't mind, I'm not going to be nice. Is that OK? It comes as President Biden detailed his decision to drop out of the race. I review this office. I love my country more. Discussing his desire to unite the country by passing the torch to a new generation. There's also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices. Yes, younger voices.

And that time and place is now. The vice president soon to receive a major boost. The endorsement of former President Obama, according to people familiar with their discussions, who say the two have been in close touch since she announced her plans to run. In this election, we each face a question. The Harris team now running with its first campaign video. Set to the Beyonce song, Freedom. Meanwhile, Mr. Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance, is facing new backlash for his past criticism of Democratic leaders,

including Ms. Harris, for not having children. We're effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies. Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston posting, all I can say is, Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day. And the second gentleman's first wife, Kirsten Emhoff, praising the vice president as a co-parent to the Emhoff children. I love our blended family and I'm grateful to have her in it. And Peter, we are in the very early days of the Harris campaign, but they're already embracing a different approach. Yeah, that's right, Tom. I think in both style and strategy,

stylistically, the vice president, of course, is a younger candidate embracing pop culture memes and appealing to younger voters who had been less enthusiastic about President Biden, but also perhaps strategically a different electoral map. The Harris campaign now hoping that her candidacy will mobilize different demographics, including Southern black voters in states like Georgia, where Vice President Harris will head early next week. Tom. The new race is definitely underway. All right, Peter, we thank you for that. Now to the high stakes meeting that happened right there at the White House. With the future of the war in Gaza and the lives of the hostages held by Hamas in the balance, President Biden and Vice President Harris pushing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

to reach a peace deal. Here's Andrea Mitchell. President Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at their first meeting since the early days of the war. Well, welcome back, Prime Minister. We've got a lot to talk about. With time now running out to close a ceasefire and hostage deal before he leaves office, Mr. Biden pressing the Israeli leader on a ceasefire. It's time now to get the negotiation in place and get the hostages home. It's time to end the war. Shame, shame, shame on you. Netanyahu's visit sparking days of outrage. Today, protesters rallying near the White House. Yesterday, police used pepper spray,

as hundreds demonstrated around the Capitol, painted pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic graffiti, burned an American flag and raised Palestinian flags, actions strongly condemned by congressional leaders in both parties and by Vice President Kamala Harris. Today, the White House also putting Netanyahu on the spot by inviting American hostage families to meet with him and the president in the Cabinet Room. We got absolute commitment from the Biden administration and from Prime Minister Netanyahu that they understand the urgency of this moment now. Aviva Siegel, her American husband Keith, a hostage. She was released after 51 days but saw the horrors firsthand. I want everybody just to imagine any girl that's a young girl that's never been touched. She's lying on a mattress on the floor and just praying, please, just that he won't tell me to come this time and do what he did yesterday.

I'm very, very worried. I do not want Keith to come back dead. And I want all the hostages to come back as soon as possible, because we have had more and more of them that are killed. Even as the IDF recovered five more bodies of Israeli hostages from a tunnel in Kanunis, who had been killed on October 7th, and late today, Vice President Harris and Netanyahu, in their first meeting since Biden dropped out of the 2024 race. Harris declined to preside over Netanyahu's speech to Congress. Donald Trump's running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, also not there. I also expressed with the prime

minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians. Tomorrow, Netanyahu flies to Mar-a-Lago to see former President Trump, who said today he wants him to get the war done quickly. Tom. All right, Andrea, we thank you for that. Now to the intense firefight tonight in Northern California, where they're battling a fast spreading and destructive wildfire. That's the biggest of the year in the state. An arson suspect now under arrest. Morgan Chesky is there. Tonight, a West Coast furnace turned inferno. California's park fire exploding overnight, forcing residents to evacuate in Chico, north of Sacramento. The heat is insane. Spot fires everywhere. In less than 24 hours,

the wind-driven inferno scorched more than 70,000 acres. Entire homes and buildings engulfed in flames that authorities are now calling an act of arson. Arresting a 42-year-old man from Chico for pushing a flaming car into a ravine, which they say started the fire. Just outside Cohasset, smoldering debris is all that remains where homes once stood. Here in Butte County, crews have already made their way back to several remote areas, trying to cut fire line wherever they can to slow the spread. From California to Canada, months without rain and record highs has turned much of the West into a tinderbox. The Durkee Fire in Oregon is now the nation's largest,

charring nearly a quarter million acres since igniting from a lightning strike last week. The blaze so big, it's creating its own weather, with extreme heat forming a fire-fueled thunderstorm, carrying smoke and ash even farther. As crews from 22 states fight 24-7 to contain it, a similar struggle in Alberta, Canada. The picturesque town of Jasper now facing near apocalyptic scenes as flames close in. The fire smoke so thick it's impacted air quality as far south as Colorado with a gray haze hanging heavy. Back near Chico, with flames far from contained, evacuation orders remain ongoing. The quicker you get out, the safer you will be.

And tonight, as this fire very much keeps burning a frightening deja vu, it was six years ago that a wildfire left 85 people dead and destroyed nearly 90% of the town of Paradise. Some of those survivors resettling in North Chico in an area that tonight is frighteningly close to this very fire. Tom, unbelievable. All right, Morgan Chesky and his team near the fire line tonight. Back here in Paris, we are less than 24 hours until the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics. The city just behind us here transformed into a grand stage for the athletes and a security fortress.

The athletes are here, the city is abuzz, and the countdown is on to what might be the most ambitious opening ceremony ever, the first held outside of a stadium. Tomorrow, more than 10,000 athletes in nearly 100 boats will float four miles down the Seine. In the lead up to the opening ceremony, parts of Paris are turning into a security maze. Barriers, fences, 45,000 police officers, 10,000 soldiers, 20,000 private security,

snipers on rooftops, divers in the water. First Lady Jill Biden will be there leading the U.S. delegation today acting as Team USA's cheerleader-in-chief. We are all first and foremost Team USA. Team USA's women's soccer team saw their first Olympic action today. The young squad sending a message with a decisive win over Zambia. 27 shots on goal. Archery also kicking off with a solid showing from American Casey Cawfold, ranked number one in the world. While we got our first look at Simone Biles and her teammates,

at training today, Biles warming up her famously difficult vault, the Yurchenko Double Pike. Oh my God! A personalized Olympic pin from Biles has quickly become one of Paris' most sought-after accessories, while the Olympic Village is the place to be. Today, Team USA posting this picture of its youngest members meeting, gymnast Hesley Rivera and sprinter Quincy Wilson, both only 16. To be with the other athletes that represent our country as well in all the different sports and events, that's where you really get

juiced. We are looking forward to it all. In 60 seconds, the big change in the air for Southwest Airlines, why it's ditch the air for Southwest Airlines, why it's ditching its trademark open seating, and the other changes just announced. Stay with us. It is now day 50 of what was supposed to be a 10-day mission for Boeing's Starliner, but the two astronauts on the crew are no longer closer to coming home. NASA is saying today it's identified the issues that have kept the spacecraft docked at the International Space Station for seven weeks, but confirming there is still no return date yet. Also tonight, changes in the air for Southwest Airline passengers. Long known for its open seat boarding policy, Southwest announcing its biggest changes in more than half a century. Emily Aketa explains why.

A major change, of course, for Southwest Airlines. Announcing today, it will soon start assigning seats and selling some with extra legroom. Ending more than 50 years of its famous, or for some, infamous model of open seating, where boarding can build into a mad dash. You got people just running in front of you. And while some Southwest super fans are disappointed. I love open seating. That's why I fly Southwest. The discount carrier CEO says the move is a bid to boost revenue and adapt to travelers' evolving tastes,

reporting 80% of Southwest customers want an assigned seat, especially on longer flights. When a customer defects from Southwest to another competitor, it's the number one reason. So it's the right thing at the right time. Despite this summer's record travel, many airlines are grappling with overcapacity. Southwest recorded a 46% drop in profit from last year, facing growing rivalries with other budget options.

What kind of headwinds is the airline facing right now? They have simply added too many seats when it comes to basic economy seats. In other words, the seats that people are buying at the lowest possible fare. So many have been added into the system, not just by Southwest, but by other airlines as well. It's put a lid on fares. Southwest says bookings for assigned and premium seats will become available sometime next year. The change still requires updating the cabin layout and FAA approval. Tom. All right, Emily, we thank you for that. Coming up, we take you on a journey along the River Seine, the lifeblood of this city, and now a star at the Olympics. Stay with us.

And we are back now with that view right there of the Alexander III Bridge over the River Sen here in Paris. Tomorrow, that famed river there will host the spectacular opening ceremony for the Olympic Games. It's also the cultural lifeblood of the city. Here's Kirsten. In Paris tonight, there are bleachers on the bridges and TV screens on the banks of the Seine. Months of worries over strong currents and water quality, mostly in the rearview mirror. As the river becomes the stage for a history-making opening ceremony from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower. That's as it should be because the said its banks adorned with cafes and booksellers will book in the well is older than Paris itself.

I said to buy in the show. The same is Paris you even say where you are in the city in relation to the river. It's a left and the right bank not the North Bank and the South Bank it's because the river. It's the left and the right bank, not the north bank and the south bank. It's because the river twists so often. American historian Russell Kelly has lived here for 30 years. That is the centre of Paris. And says Paris began on an island on the Seine,

the Ile de la Cité, now known for its famous cathedral. We followed the river through picturesque villages for three hours to its source. Antoine, welcome. Bonjour. Thank you. Welcome. This is the first bridge.

It's the first bridge of the Seine. And the right bank and left bank. La grève droite et la grève gauche. Antoine Herreau is from friends of Saucen and spent his childhood here. It's a magical river. The Gauls, then the Romans, revered this place. A water nymph.

In the 19th century, they built a shrine. Oh yes, you can see the water. That's the source right there. Whether the Seine is clean enough for Olympic swimming has been hotly debated. But up here at the source, it's safe to take a sip. It's fresh. It's clean. Keir Simmons, glad you're with us after drinking that river water.

It's a tough assignment. So you took the journey. What did you learn? Well, you know, Parisians build their lives around the Seine. And that village of 60 people so far away, it means so much to them. That village is officially a district of Paris. Oh, wow. All right. Kier Simmons first. We appreciate that. Great story, Kier. Up next, the long road from Ukraine to Paris. How two top athletes made it here against all odds.

Their message to the world. That's next. And welcome back from Paris and a look at the Eiffel Tower and the light show illuminating it. Finally, tonight, among the elite athletes gathered here, several from Ukraine have made the hard journey to compete for something even bigger than the games. Here's Richard Engel. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Bogdan Yadov, a 66-kilogram European judo champion, was training for Paris. Five o'clock in the morning, my best friend called me and said, war started. So was Yaroslava Mahuchik. Yes! The world's number one ranked high jumper. I felt fear inside and I said goodbye to my life. With training facilities torn apart by Russian bombs.

Believe it or not, there was a nice gymnasium here. And constant air raid sirens interrupting almost every practice. If start attack, we have bomb shelter in our sport hall. Suddenly, the two athletes faced an impossible choice. Should they go abroad where it's safer or remain in Ukraine? Bogdan chose to stay. He couldn't bear to leave his wife and son. Sometimes it's really hard to fight, but I want to win for my country and make our people a little bit happy. Yaroslava made the painful decision to go abroad, training across Western Europe. She worries about her parents and sister,

who live in Dnipro, a city that's often attacked by Russia. When I say goodbye, I didn't know when I'll see again, but my father said, you should go, you should show the whole world what happened in our country. That's the world record! Despite the strain, she's gone from success to success, and this month broke a 37-year-old world record. My chance, my competition for my country, for the soldiers. I fight for my country. I'm always proud to be Ukrainian. Bogdan and Yaroslava both say the war is motivating them to show the world Ukraine is still standing strong. Richard Engel, NBC News, Kiev, Ukraine.

That inspiring journey to get right here to Paris. That's nightly news for this Thursday. Thank you so much for watching. I'm Tom Yamous. Have a great night.