News Wrap: Trump signs order calling for MMR vaccine split into 3 shots

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister (through translator):

We're talking about a true dismantling, not a fictitious dismantling. We're speaking with the Americans about this subject. They have ideas. Some of them are acceptable to us, and some are unacceptable to us.

Geoff Bennett:

Despite the impasse, operations continued in Southern Israel today to build a base for international peacekeepers if and when they are deployed to Gaza. Hamas, meantime, says it remains -- quote -- "committed to the road map for peace."

President Trump today signed an executive order calling for fewer childhood vaccines and spacing out shots across separate doctor visits.

President Donald Trump:

Proof of it, where they have a vaccination that looks like the size of a bottle of soda poured into a little child's body. And bad things happen in many cases, in too many cases, because this is an explosion. This is an epidemic.

Geoff Bennett:

The facts do not support the president's claim. His order calls for splitting the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine into three separate shots, though those individual vaccines are not currently available in the U.S. It also directs HHS to reassess the timing and sequencing of childhood vaccines.

During today's signing, Mr. Trump also repeatedly suggested vaccines could be linked to autism. That's despite decades of research, including large-scale studies involving hundreds of thousands of children finding no causal connection.

Attorney General Todd Blanche was sworn in today after being narrowly confirmed by the Senate over the weekend.

Todd Blanche, Acting U.S. Attorney General:

That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Geoff Bennett:

Press were excluded from this swearing-in. This video was posted to social media by the White House press secretary. Blanche, who was Mr. Trump's former personal lawyer, served as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi's firing back in April.

Blanche was confirmed by the Senate early Saturday morning by a slim margin, 50-49. Two Republican senators joined all Democrats in voting against his confirmation, citing concerns about the Justice Department's independence.

South Carolina's Joint Base Charleston has been officially renamed Joint Base Lindsey Graham in honor of the late Republican senator.

Man:

With a shared vision for the future and deep respect for our past, together, let us mark this new beginning in three, two, one.

(Applause)

Geoff Bennett:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was among the officials gathered to pay tribute at the renaming ceremony. Also there, Graham's sister, Darline, who was appointed to fill his remaining time in Congress. The 24,000-acre base is home to more than 90,000 service members, civilians, retirees, and their families.

Last month was officially the hottest month ever recorded for the contiguous U.S., in other words, all the states except Alaska and Hawaii. That's according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last month officially eclipsed July 1936 during the Dust Bowl by an eighth-of-a-degree. Scientists said one of the biggest drivers of the record heat was hotter nighttime temperatures, an indicator of human-caused climate change.

On Wall Street today, all the major indices moved lower to start the week. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped by 60 points. The Nasdaq slipped by more than 80 points, as several large tech stocks weighed on the market. The S&P 500 suffered a minimal loss.

And many across the sports world are mourning the death of Hall of Famer Don Nelson, the second winningest coach in NBA history. His 1,335 wins are just behind Spurs legend Gregg Popovich for the most all time. Nelson also won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics. He died Sunday at the age of 86.

And Ben Jones, who played the mechanic Cooter Davenport on the hit TV series the "Dukes of Hazzard," also died yesterday.

Ben Jones, Actor:

Breaker one. I might be crazy, but I ain't dumb. Crazy Cooter coming at you.

Geoff Bennett:

Jones turned to public office later in life, serving two terms as a Democratic congressman for the state of Georgia. Ben Jones was 84 years old.