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National

Luis Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation on Sunday following weeks of criticism for kissing a national soccer team player on the lips following their Women's World Cup win. 

Driving the news: Rubiales could face criminal charges after both player Jenni Hermoso and a Spanish prosecutor last week filed legal complaints accusing him of sexual assault and coercion for the kiss that Rubiales said was "consensual," but the 33-year-old World Cup winner said was nonconsensual.

The national team refused to play for as long as Rubiales remained president, the Spanish football federation's regional leaders asked him to resign and soccer's world governing body FIFA suspended him in the wake of the incident.

What he's saying: "I will defend my honorability. I will defend my innocence," Rubiales said in an online post announcing his resignation Sunday. 

"After the quick suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of open proceedings against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position," he added.

"Insisting on waiting and holding on is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither to the federation nor to Spanish football."

Go deeper: Spain coach Jorge Vilda fired in fallout of Rubiales' unwanted World Cup kiss

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more comment from Luis Rubiales and further context.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda fired in fallout of Rubiales' unwanted World Cup kiss

Luis Rubiales resigns as Spanish soccer president after World Cup kiss

"I will defend my innocence," said Rubiales, who's facing sexual assault legal complaints over the kiss.

Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation looks on prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Spain and Sweden at Eden Park on August 15, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand.

Luis Rubiales, then-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, in August. Photo: Maja Hitij - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Sexual misconduct

World

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

President Biden has been unable to capitalize on a flurry of positive news — from an improving economy to encouraging developments in Ukraine to his top political rival's legal troubles.

Why it matters: Biden's inability to use the presidential bully pulpit effectively — a byproduct of his advanced age — has become a serious handicap as he seeks a second term.

It's not the message, but the messenger. Biden, who was never a charismatic speaker in his political prime, is badly struggling to persuade the public of anything at age 80.

FDR had his fireside chats. Ronald Reagan was the Great Communicator. Barack Obama's ability to calmly drive home a message, under political pressure, earned him the moniker "No Drama Obama."

Biden lately has had the reverse Midas touch: The public feels worse about the direction of the country after hearing the president make his best pitch.

The big picture: Biden's team has been trying to sell voters on Bidenomics, capitalizing on the fact that there's no recession and inflation looks under control. Despite the public relations blitz, his economic approval rating has stagnated — and is worse than his overall approval numbers.

Ukraine has penetrated the first line of the Russian defense in its counteroffensive, a small but encouraging sign the war could be turning the corner. But Americans haven't heard any of this news from their commander-in-chief.

Biden has even failed to take political advantage of his campaign's playbook portraying MAGA Republicans as "siding with dictators over democracy."

By the numbers: A new Wall Street Journal poll shows that by a healthy 11-point margin (51%-40%), more voters view former President Trump as having a better record of accomplishments than Biden.

That's the clearest sign that Biden has badly lost the messaging war. Biden has spent the last several months traveling the country to pitch his economic record, but few are buying what he's selling.

That's not for a lack of a strong case: The American economy is significantly healthier than its European and Chinese counterparts. Wages are again growing faster than inflation.

But 58% of voters say the economy has gotten worse over the past two years, while only 28% say it has gotten better.

Between the lines: Biden has also struggled to showcase his much-vaunted empathy, which helped get him elected president in the first place.

During his trip to Hawai'i last month to visit the fire-charred remains of Lahaina, Biden faced tough reviews from across the political spectrum — including from beyond conservative media.

During the trip, Biden compared the disaster of a wiped-out town to his experience 15 years ago dealing with a small fire in his home.

"When President Joe Biden interrupted yet another of his vacations to visit the devastated island of Maui, tone-deafness was front and center," Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom wrote.

"The fire he referenced, nearly two decades ago, was contained within 20 minutes by the local fire department," Albom continued. "The only thing worse than misplaced empathy is false empathy, told over and over — with the same phony story."

What they're saying: New York Times columnist Charles Blow, a reliable Biden defender, expressed frustration this week with the president's reticence to directly address Trump's legal woes.

"Biden adheres to a dignified silence approach, clinging almost religiously to the notion that voters will recognize and appreciate the difference between a restorer and a destroyer," Blow wrote.

At his Labor Day stop in Philadelphia that traditionally kicks off the campaign season, Biden didn't mention his leading rival's name at all.

Reality check: Biden allies say it's premature to judge the president's performance before the campaign has fully ramped up. The Biden campaign aired a new TV ad during last week's NFL season opener touting the president's economic achievements — part of a larger $25 million ad blitz.

The bottom line: Even the campaign's well-produced ads underscore Biden's limitations as a public speaker. Both of the campaign's latest spots — on the economy and his leadership in Ukraine — show visuals of the president but don't feature soundbites of him speaking.

MAGA Republicans as "siding with dictators

Biden's broken bully pulpit

Voters still aren't buying what the White House is selling.

Biden holds a press conference Sunday during a visit to Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo: Nhac Nguyen/AFP via Getty Images

Joe Biden

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

Over three-fourths of Americans think there should be a maximum age limit for elected officials, according to a CBS News/YouGov survey.

Why it matters: The poll comes as attention toward the age of politicians has been in the spotlight after several incidents, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) freezing in front of reporters and ongoing concerns about President Biden's age.

By the numbers: 77% of those surveyed said there should be "maximum age limits for elected officials," meaning "after they reach a certain age, they are not permitted to hold office any longer." 

The concern proved to be bipartisan, with 76% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans calling for maximum age limits for elected officials. 

45% of respondents said the maximum age limit for elected officials should be 70. 

A combined 30% of respondents said either 50 or 60 should be the maximum age. 

Only 18% said 80 should be the maximum age limit for elected officials.

Between the lines: Over half think the job of the president is "too demanding for someone over the age of 75," though 38% said "it depends." 

78% "mostly agree" with the statement that most legislators and elected officials over the age of 75 "[r]aise concerns about [an elected official's] ability to perform their job," compared to 22% who "mostly disagree."

80% said they "mostly agree" that a legislator or an elected official over 75 would "[r]isk being out of touch with the times," but 20% said they "mostly disagree." 

Worth noting: The median age of the Senate is 65, according to Pew Research. The House of Representatives' median age is 57. 

Sixteen senators are 75 or older, and 18 are between 74 and 70. 

In the House, 43 U.S. Representatives are 75 or older, and 42 are between 74 and 70.

Zoom out: Biden is not the only elected official who has been part of the conversation on age limits for politicians. 

A recent Economist/YouGov poll found that a majority of likely voters think McConnell's age and health "severely limit his job abilities" after the 81-year-old had his second apparent freeze-up in as many months in August.

A May 2023 poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found that two-thirds of California voters felt Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), 90, was "no longer fit for office," though respondents were not asked if her age was a factor in their answer. 

And in this new poll, over half think the job of U.S. senator is, "too demanding" for someone over the age of 75. 

Methodology: The poll surveyed 2,335 adults between Sept. 5-8 and has a margin of error of ±2.7 points. 

Over 75% of voters want maximum age limit for elected officials, poll shows

The concern was bipartisan, with 76% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans calling for maximum age limits for elected officials.

President Biden speaks at a press conference Sunday. Photo: Nhac Nguyen/AFP via Getty Images

Paul Landis — a former Secret Service agent who was standing on a running board just feet from President John F. Kennedy when he was shot — has called into question the Warren Commission's single-bullet theory in an interview with The New York Times.

Why it matters: The recollection by Landis, 88, differs from two written statements he filed right after the shooting. So: Who knows?"

According to The Times' Peter Baker, the new account from Landis could "encourage those who have long suspected that there was more than one gunman in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, adding new grist to one of the nation's enduring mysteries."

Context: The Warren Commission determined that one of the bullets struck Kennedy from behind, exiting through his throat. 

That bullet then continued forward, striking Texas Gov. John Connally in the back, thigh, chest and wrist, the commission said.

"Investigators came to that conclusion partly because the bullet was found on a stretcher believed to have held Mr. Connally at Parkland Memorial Hospital," Baker writes for The Times.

The intrigue: Landis said he found the bullet stuck in the limousine seat behind where Kennedy was sitting after the president's motorcade arrived at the hospital. 

In an effort to thwart anyone wanting a souvenir, Landis said he picked the bullet up and put it next to Kennedy on a stretcher. 

"I was just afraid that — it was a piece of evidence, that I realized right away. Very important. And I didn't want it to disappear or get lost. So it was, 'Paul, you've got to make a decision,' and I grabbed it,'" Landis told the Times.

Landis said he thinks the bullet didn't penetrate Kennedy's back deeply and fell out before he left the vehicle. 

Last year, under the direction of the Biden administration, the National Archives released over 16,000 documents related to Kennedy's assassination. Over 70% of Americans wanted the documents released, according to a poll conducted in 2022. 

What he's saying: Landis told the Times that he always believed Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in fatally shooting Kennedy, but now: "At this point, I'm beginning to doubt myself. Now I begin to wonder."

Worth noting: Landis has a book coming Oct. 10, "The Final Witness: A Kennedy Secret Service Agent Breaks His Silence After 60 Years."

JFK Secret Service agent questions assassination theory

"At this point, I'm beginning to doubt myself. Now I begin to wonder," Paul Landis said regarding if Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.

Texas Governor John Connally adjusts his tie (foreground) as US President John F Kennedy (left) & First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (in pink) settled in rear seats, prepared for motorcade into city. 

(Original Caption) Texas Governor John Connally adjusts his tie (foreground) as US President John F Kennedy (left) & First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (in pink) settled in rear seats, prepared for motorcade into city from airport. 

John F. Kennedy

Meet The Press-10 55 34 Am - 10 57 53 Am-2023-09-10

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sunday he doesn't want to appoint a replacement for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and would only make an "interim appointment" if it were necessary. 

Why it matters: Feinstein announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election in 2024, but the California senator has faced calls to step down before her term ends after a lengthy absence from Congress. 

The 90-year-old senator's name has also been singled out in the conversation about imposing age limits or giving mental competency tests to some older politicians. 

What he's saying: "I don't want to make another appointment. I don't think the people of California want to make another appointment," Newsom said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday. 

Newsom said he would make an appointment to fill Feinstein's seat if he had to, but that none of those running in the crowded Senate race to replace her would be on the shortlist. 

Appointing someone on the primary ballot "would be completely unfair to the Democrats that have worked their tail off. That primary is just a matter of months away. I don't want to tip the balance of that," Newsom said. 

Newsom also said Feinstein, with whom he interned in college, is like a family member and he has "no objectivity whatsoever" when it comes to finishing her term in Congress.

"I leave it to her," to decide if she should leave office early, he said, but reiterated his previous commitment to appoint a Black woman to fill Feinstein's seat if required to do so.

Of note: A Berkeley IGS poll from last week conducted among likely voters in the upcoming 2024 primary had Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Katie Porter (D-Calif.) at 20% and 17%. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) was ranked third with 7%. 

1 in 3 likely voters remain undecided, according to the poll. 

Newsom doesn't want to appoint Senate replacement for Dianne Feinstein

"I don't want to make another appointment. I don't think the people of California want to make another appointment," Newsom said

Dianne Feinstein

Elections 2024

Vitals

Axios Vitals

The Biden administration is urging employers to keep the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone on hand, comparing it to workplaces preparing emergency plans in case of a fire. 

Why it matters: Narcan, a nasal spray version of naloxone, became available over-the-counter at major retailers for the first time this week amid record levels of overdoses from increasingly lethal forms of opioids like fentanyl. 

A second over-the-counter opioid overdose reversal drug, also a nasal spray, was approved in July and is expected to become available early next year.

Yes, but: The rescue drugs, which are highly effective if administered quickly after an overdose, will only be useful if they are readily available and bystanders feel comfortable using them, health officials said at a Friday event to demonstrate how to use the nasal spray. 

What they're saying: Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the department's Washington headquarters is now stocked with doses of naloxone nasal spray, along with written instructions and a verbal recording to guide users on how to administer the drug.

Office buildings, restaurants and even schools should do the same, health officials said. 

Biden admin wants employers to make opioid overdose reversal drug available

The rescue drugs will only be useful if they are readily available and bystanders feel comfortable using them, health officials said.

Axios

Sunday's top stories

Luis Rubiales resigns as Spanish soccer president after World Cup kiss

Biden's broken bully pulpit

Over 75% of voters want maximum age limit for elected officials, poll shows

JFK Secret Service agent questions assassination theory

Newsom doesn't want to appoint Senate replacement for Dianne Feinstein

Biden admin wants employers to make opioid overdose reversal drug available

What's at stake in Google's antitrust trial

Trump and Biden hunker down for 2024 bunker campaigns

Biden unveils infrastructure project to connect India, Middle East and Europe

How Florida's new immigration law could slow hurricane recovery efforts

Suits and ties disappearing from many office spaces, survey shows