NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Episode Date: August 8, 2024

Taylor Swift concerts canceled in Austria after terror threat; Team USA continues medal run at Paris Olympic; Harris and Walz start battleground blitz, while Vance targets Walz's claim he carried weapons 'in war'; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the Taylor Swift concerts canceled after authorities here in Europe say they thwarted a terror plot to attack them. Taylor Swift, the world's biggest pop star, scheduled to play three concerts in Vienna this week on her Heiress tour. But police today announcing the arrest of two men for plotting to attack the shows. One suspect allegedly pledging allegiance to ISIS. The disturbing evidence police uncovered. Also tonight, Team USA speeding to gold here in Paris, Quincy Hall coming from behind to win the men's 400 meter, a historic win for the women's cycling team, and USA women's basketball now just two wins away from gold. The race for the White House, Kamala Harris and Tim Wallz, spending their first full day as running mates on a

Midwest battleground blitz. J.D. Vance holding dueling events at the same cities, the two campaigns nearly crossing paths on the same tarmac, and Donald Trump reacting to the new Democratic ticket while he says he's thrilled Harris picked Walz. Tropical Storm Debbie regaining strength off the southeast, headed for a second landfall. The Boeing Starliner crew stuck in space, while NASA now says they may not make it home until next year. And it's the fastest summer Olympic sport and one of the newest, the American hoping to kite surf her way to gold.

And this goes in the water. This is NBC Nightly News reporting tonight from the Olympics in Paris. Here is Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. While it was another thrilling day and night for Team USA here at the Olympics, it was a security threat, not here in Paris, but in Vienna that tops our news tonight. In just the last few hours, organizers have canceled three Taylor Swift concerts that were to begin tomorrow in Vienna after officials announced the arrests of two men saying they were preparing for a possible attack on an event such as the Swift concerts. The officials say one of the suspects had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State Terror Group. The concert organizers said they had no choice but to cancel the concerts,

which almost 200,000 Taylor Swift fans were expected to attend, including some who had come from as far away as the United States. It's where we begin tonight with Chief International Correspondent Keir Simmons. Tonight, three Taylor Swift concerts dramatically cancelled with less than 24 hours notice after police in austria foiled a terror attack with targets including her shows there in just the past few hours her website telling fans tickets will be refunded many sharing their disappointment all three nights at the vienna hei tour are now cancelled. A lot of tears in the streets of young girls and that breaks my heart to see. Jean Montone travelled from New Jersey.

We made a whole Europe trip about it and so it's definitely disappointing but at this point I'm just excited to go home and see my babies. Preparations had been continuing for her three era shows in Vienna, which were set to begin tomorrow. Even as two men were arrested earlier today in connection with allegedly planning attacks in the city. One of them, a 19-year-old,

who Austrian police say pledged his allegiance to ISIS and was focused on Taylor Swift's events. Officials say both men had become radicalized through the internet and had specific detailed plans on how to carry out an attack. A bomb squad allegedly found chemical substances in the 19-year-old's home, but officials say it did not appear he had all the components

needed to assemble a bomb. U.S. officials warned just this year that ISIS was gaining the capability for renewed attacks on the West and American interests. In March, its Afghan offshoot, ISIS-K, took credit for four assailants storming a concert hall in Moscow, killing more than 140 people. They saw a lot of press from it and probably a lot of funding coming from that. So they may probably want to duplicate it, especially with the name of the performer, that that would just worldwide audience that you would get. Music venues are a soft target. In 2017, 22 people, including children, were killed in a suicide attack outside an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. And in 2015, coordinated attacks in Paris, including the Bataclan concert hall, killed 130 people. Austrian security officials had said the danger had been minimized. But tonight,

the event organizers saying in an Instagram post, we had no choice but to cancel for everyone's safety. And Keir is joining me now. What else are we learning about this investigation? For tonight, Lester, two U.S. officials tell NBC News that the hunt is underway for an individual or individuals who may have had knowledge of this apparent plot. How dangerous they were, in other words, their capability, not yet clear tonight, Lester. All right, Keir Simmons, thank you. Here in Paris, Team USA continued its nonstop medal run today from the track to the pool and beyond. Tom Yamas has been following it and has all the latest action. Quincy Hall is coming back!

Tonight, Quincy Hall digging deep and coming from way back to overtake the field in the final moments of the 400 meter to win gold. It's gold for the USA! Kenneth Rooks is resilient! In steeplechase, underdog American Kenneth Rooks running an incredible race and taking silver. Team USA medals. And in the 200 meter, Noah Lyles cruising through the semis one step closer in his quest to win both the 100 and 200 meter sprints. Meanwhile, Team USA breaking two long medal droughts. The artistic swimming team winning

silver celebrating their first medal in 20 years. We just approached today like calm, confident, like any other day, and then now we're here. And in weightlifting, Hampton Morris became the first American man to win a medal in four decades. What a start. Over at skateboarding, Tom Schaar barely made the Olympics team. Today, he became a silver medalist in men's park. Tom Schaar. Wow. Talk to me about the flag draped around your shoulders. You have a silver medal. I mean what does that feel like? Yeah I mean the chances were pretty slim of me getting here. I barely qualified last second so I'm just really

trying to enjoy the moment right now. And another surprise medal in women's cycling team pursuit. Team USA winning its first ever gold. It's the second of the games for Alaska native Kristen Faulkner, who shocked everyone by winning Sunday's road race. In basketball, the women of Team USA now just two wins away from their eighth straight gold medal. Today, beating Nigeria and advancing to the semis. While the venue used for 3x3

basketball, now mid-makeover. And the venue is being transformed into one of the most talked about events of these games, breaking. There's going to be a DJ booth, a circular stage, and break dancers from all over the world. Breaking will make its much-anticipated Olympic debut on Friday. And Tom, looking ahead to tomorrow, could be the biggest night yet for track. Yeah, it's going to be a big night. First up, Sydney McLaughlin-Leroney. She runs in the 400-meter hurdle. She likely will win the gold medal. And then, of course, Noah Lyles going for that elusive double. He won the 100 meters. He's now going for the 200 tomorrow. The problem is he has some stiff competition, including from two of his teammates

who are putting up very fast times. Lester, it's going to be an amazing race. All right, Tom, thanks very much. And on primetime in Paris tonight, all eyes are on the track as Noah Lyles runs the 200-meter, and Katie Moon takes off in pole vault. Coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern. Also tonight, Tropical Storm Debbie regaining strength off the southeast coast. The deadly system producing a massive tornado in eastern North Carolina damaging multiple homes.

And now millions are bracing for Debbie to make a second landfall. Bill Cairns has been tracking Debbie for us. Bill, how likely will we see landfall tonight and where? Near Myrtle Beach, Lester, and the heavy bands of rain are already pushing on shore. And with it, some strong thunderstorms that could produce isolated tornadoes in eastern North Carolina. But it's the heavy rain that's going to be the biggest problem over the next two days. We are going to watch torrential rain tonight through South Carolina, then up through the Piedmont of North Carolina, up to 10 inches of rain as possible by tomorrow night. And then the storm races by the time we get through Friday

through Pennsylvania and portions of New York State. And the areas in the mountains in the Adirondacks and right down through the Appalachians could have some significant flooding problems. But tomorrow, all eyes will be on our high-risk area for flash flooding. We're going to be focusing on areas from just outside of Wilmington, including right around Fayetteville, back up through Greensboro. And then as we go throughout tomorrow afternoon and evening, that heavy rain makes its way up into the mountains of Virginia, a very rare high risk for the Roanoke area. And Lester, tropical storms and also dealing with high risk and flash flooding in mountains. It's just a disastrous combination. All right, Bill Cairns, thank you. Now to the race for the White House with Vice President Harris and her new running mate,

Tim Walz, hitting key Midwestern states today. And the Trump campaign, sending J.D. Vance to those same battlegrounds. Here's Gabe Gutierrez. Tonight, a battleground blitz. Vice President Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, sweeping through Midwestern swing states. As we work to move our nation forward, Donald Trump intends to take our nation backward. The ticket riding a wave of Democratic enthusiasm and cash. The campaign saying it's raised 36 million dollars since yesterday's

announcement. Walz today going after former President Trump while talking about the experience he and his wife had with IVF. When Vice President Harris and I and everyone here talks about freedom, we mean the freedom to make your own health care decisions. Harris did not previously know Walls well, but multiple sources tell NBC News she chose him because they clicked during an in-person interview on Sunday and then it came down to trusting her gut. We are running a campaign on behalf of all Americans. And when elected, we will govern on behalf of all Americans. Late today, President Biden was asked if there will be a peaceful transfer of power. I mean, if Trump loses, I'm not confident at all. He means what he says. We don't take him seriously. Democrats highlighting Walz's working-class rural background in two decades in the Army National Guard.

Former President Trump arguing Walz is too far left to win. He's a very, very liberal man, and he's a shocking pick, and I'm thrilled. I could not be more thrilled. Meanwhile, his running mate J.D. Vance's plane landing at the same tarmac as Air Force Two, holding events near the Democrats. And if what Kamala Harris has done at the southern border, and if what Kamala Harris has done to raise the price of groceries and housing, if that doesn't bother you, then I think that you don't have a pulse. Vance also slamming walls for these past comments calling for gun control, saying he

carried weapons during war. And we can make sure that those weapons of war that I carried in war is the only place where those weapons were at. Walz served in the National Guard, but never in combat. Well, I wonder, Tim Walz, when were you ever in war? What was this weapon that you carried into war? Today, the Harris campaign said Walz carried, fired, and trained others to use weapons of war innumerable times. Governor Walls would never insult or undermine any American service to this country. While back here in Michigan, Harrison Walls trying to shore up union support. I've had so many people that have come forward and said they're so excited for this energy that she has brought.

It's electrifying. I don't know if Joe Biden could have done that for us. But some Arab American voters are still skeptical. We first met Lori Kamla Ajlouni in February. Back then, she wouldn't vote for President Biden because of his response to civilian deaths in Gaza. Harris, now leading the ticket, makes her more hopeful, but... I'm still very leery, nervous that it may be more of the same. At this point, do you plan to vote for Kamala Harris? Not unless I hear a permanent, unconditional ceasefire. And, Gabe, with 90 days to go, the race of these battlegrounds is showing signs of heating up.

Yes, Lester, Harrison walls are set to meet with union members here in Michigan tomorrow before heading out west to key battlegrounds Arizona and Nevada. Trump has set the campaign in Montana on Friday. Lester? Gabe Gutierrez, thank you. We'll take a break here and in 60 seconds. Their mission was supposed to last just 10 days. Now NASA says two astronauts may have to wait until next year to come home from the space station. Why is it taking so long?

Next. We had practice. NASA said today it may keep those two astronauts stuck on the space station up there for another six months, then bring them home in a different spaceship rather than their troubled Boeing Starliner capsule. Here's NBC's Tom Costello. Now on day 63 of what was supposed to be a 10-day mission, NASA today said astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams may remain in space until February. Butch and Sonny would remain on station and become part of that increment and return home with them on Crew 9. Crew 9 is a SpaceX mission to the station set to launch in late September, returning next year. For months, NASA has insisted Wilmore and Williams are not stuck in space.

Years behind schedule, Boeing's troubled Starliner launched on a test flight in early June. But Starliner has remained docked to the space station, with mission managers divided over whether it's safe to bring Wilmore and Williams home. Ground teams are still trying to troubleshoot Starliner's helium leaks and engine thruster problems. Starliner needs those thrusters for a safe return. Now NASA could bring Starliner home autonomously, without a crew. Williams and Wilmore, both NASA veterans, recently insisted they're not worried. I have a real good feeling in my heart that this spacecraft will bring us home, no problem. In a statement, Boeing says it still believes in Starliner's capability and its flight rationale.

If NASA decides to change the mission, it'll take the actions necessary to configure Starliner for an uncrewed return. That mantra you've heard, failure is not an option. That's why we are staying here now. A 10-day mission that could turn into eight months. So, Tom, let's talk for a moment about the optics of this. If NASA turns to Elon Musk and SpaceX to get the astronauts home, that would be kind of a big black eye for Boeing. A huge embarrassment. SpaceX has already flown nine missions to the station with astronauts. Boeing is struggling with its first, but NASA insists it is committed to Starliner and it believes the problems can be fixed. Lester. Tom Costello, thank you. Coming up, they competed more than two years ago in Beijing, while the Team USA figure skaters were finally awarded gold here in Paris. An extraordinary moment here at the Paris Olympics. They play a winter sport,

but Team USA's figure skaters are here at the summer games to finally accept their long overdue honor. And they spoke about it with our Stephanie Gosk. Gold medalist and Olympic champion, United States of America. A moment years in the making. Team USA's figure skaters finally getting their gold medals, right here in Paris. We've been dreaming of this since we left Beijing without those medals. It was a dream come true because we had always wanted to have that Olympic moment. The medal ceremony they should have had in Beijing was derailed by a doping scandal. Does it get any more precise than that?

What a tremendous result for Team USA. News broke that Russian skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance before the Games. At the time, Valieva said she may have been contaminated by her grandfather's heart medication. The 15-year-old Valieva helped propel the Russian team to a first-place finish, the U.S. finishing in second. But an investigation was immediately launched into the doping allegation. No one was getting medals. We were supposed to be leaving for the ceremony, I don't know, within 10 minutes, and then we got the news that it was postponed, and then soon after that it was canceled. But due to this, it was like, oh my gosh, where are we at? Confusion, frustration, excitement. It was just, we were all over the place.

Valleva was eventually banned from the sport for four years, her results in Beijing thrown out. Appeals took years. The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed Team USA won gold the day before the Paris opening ceremony. Should it have happened faster? You know what? I think I'm very grateful that the time was taken to make sure that the decision was the right one. They're also happy to be here. And unlike Beijing, their families were in the stands. How many family members are we talking about? Oh, my gosh. So many.

I've got a group of 10. I think collectively we have like 30 people. I've got a group of five. All here to celebrate recognition a long time coming, but no less deserved. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Paris. And up next for us as we continue tonight, racing the wind inside the fastest sport at the Olympics with the American vying for gold. Finally tonight, one of the Olympics' newest sports, kite surfing, and the California athlete chasing gold thanks to her parents and their risky escape from communism decades ago. Here's Liz Kreutz. There's nowhere Olympic kite surfer Daniela Moroz feels freer than right here.

I love the speed. I think I've always loved going fast. After all, you could say she was born for this. Your mom raced while she was pregnant with you. Yes. I like to take some credit, you know, I was helping. She jokes, and yet 23 years later, Daniela is a six-time kite surfing world champion, now helping her sport make its Olympic debut. It's so crazy. I still don't think I've like fully comprehended it. Daniela says her road to get here began well before she was born, in the early 80s, when her parents made daring escapes from then communist-run Czechoslovakia.

Her mom by hitchhiking, her dad by literally skiing. I was in former Yugoslavia on a ski trip and basically backcountry skied over the mountains to Italy. Why did you want to leave? Freedom. I just wanted to experience what is it like to live in a free country? They both ended up in Berkeley, California and met while learning to windsurf on the San Francisco Bay, their daughter joining them by age four. Four years old. Yeah. Already shredding. At 11, Daniela transitioned to kite surfing. San Francisco is very famous for being a really difficult place to sail. And everyone kind of says, like, if you can sail here, you can sail anywhere. It's a welcome advantage, but not enough to quell Daniela's superstitious side.

Every competition, she makes a curated playlist. There's a lot of Taylor Swift on there, for sure. And once on the water, she always does this. Anytime I, like, see some wildlife, I'll give them a salute, because you have to respect the locals. That respect and years of hard work now culminating in the biggest sale of her life in the south of France. You said that you came here chasing the American dream. Yeah.

And now your daughter's going to be at the Olympics. Yes. It's really amazing. There is no way, if I stayed in Czechoslovakia, that we would be able to accomplish what she accomplished. Daniela credits that accomplishment to her parents and the risk they took some 40 years ago for freedom. Liz Kreutz, NBC News, San Francisco. That's nightly news for this Wednesday.

Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night from Paris.