
Biden announces 17 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, including Simone Biles and John McCain
CBSN
President Biden on Friday announced 17 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and former Senator John McCain are among those receiving the award posthumously.
The awards will be presented at the White House Thursday, July 7.
"The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors," the White House said in a statement Friday. "President Biden has long said that America can be defined by one word: possibilities."

WASHINGTON — An American intelligence assessment of the Ecuadorian presidential election, set for Sunday, concluded that a reelection of the incumbent president would better serve U.S. national security interests over the challenger. The assessment comes as the Trump administration mulls establishing a permanent U.S. military presence in the South American country, once known as the "island of peace," to help battle violent gangs, CBS News has learned.