Didnt know how we were going to make it. Captioning sponsored by cbs this is the cbs evening news with scott pelley. Pelley today, the nations top Law Enforcement officer, attorney general jeff sessions, refuted what he called appalling and detestable lies. Sessions asked for todays hearing before the Senate Intelligence committees investigation of russian tampering in the president ial election. This was the administrations first sworn rebuttal of former f. B. I. Director james comey, who testified last week that the president pressured him to drop the investigation of former National Security adviser michael flynn. President trump called comey a coward and a nut job. Today, the attorney general was more measured, even though he declined to answer some of the most revealing questions. We have a team of correspondents covering, beginning with nancy cordes on capitol hill. I mean, what is this . Reporter under oath, the attorney general said he is being smeared by suggestions that he had an undisclosed meeting with the Russian Ambassador last year. Mr. Comey said that there were matters with respect to the recusal that were problematic, and he couldnt talk about them. What are they . Why dont you tell me. There are none, senator wyden. There are none. I can tell you that for absolute certainty. We can you tell this is a secret innuendo being leaked out there about me, and i dont appreciate it. Reporter sessions has acknowledged what he says were two brief, routine meetings with sergey kislyak, but said he does not recall a reported third encounter at d. C. s Mayflower Hotel after a Trump Campaign speech. Certainly i can assure you nothing improper, if i had had a conversation with him, and its conceivable that that occurred. I just dont remember it. Reporter his former Senate Colleagues asked sessions about an Oval Office Meeting in february. Comey told the Committee Last week, that the president dismissed everyone but him. Florida senator marco rubio do you remember feel like you needed to stay . I do recall being one of the last ones to leave. He expressed concern to me about that private conversation, and i agreed with him, essentially, that there are rules on private conversations with the president. Reporter several senators pressed sessions to explain why he got involved in comeys firing, even after he had recused himself from the f. B. I. s investigation into Russian Election meddling. It is absurd, frankly, to suggest that a recusal from a single specific investigation would render the attorney general unable to manage the leadership of the various department of justice Law Enforcement components. Reporter the firing could spark an obstruction of justice investigation because the president has said the russia case was a factor. And i guess ill just have to let his words speak for himself. Reporter answers like that frustrated democrats, who accused sessions of stonewalling about his conversations with mr. Trump. Has the president invoked executive privilege in the case of your testimony here today . He has not. Then what is the basis of your refusal to answer these questions . Senator king, the president has a constitutional i understand that. But the president hasnt asserted it. I am protecting the right of the president to exert it if he chooses. Reporter sessions said he recommended comeys firing because of his handling of the clinton email case last year. Still, one top democrat said tonight, scott, that perhaps sessions and other top officials should be held in contempt of congress if they wont answer these questions about the president. Pelley nancy cordes in the hearing room for us. Well, after comey was fired, the Justice Department named former f. B. I. Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to independently investigate the russia case. Well, today, Margaret Brennan tells us a number of top officials had to come to muellers defense. I have a lot of confidence in bob mueller. I think it was a good choice. I think best advice would be to let Robert Mueller do his job. Reporter Republican Leaders Mitch Mcconnell and paul ryan expressed support today for Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian Election meddling and allegations of Trump Campaign collusion. It was prompted by this comment from trump confidant and newsmax c. E. O. Chris ruddy yesterday on pbs. Well, i think hes considering perhaps terminating the special counsel. I think hes hes weighing weg that option. Reporter on cbs this morning former House Speaker newt gingrich, who had initially said he was a fan of mueller, accused him of picking politically biased investigators. His first four attorneys are all democrats. One of them worked for the clinton foundation. He, apparently, couldnt find a single protrump attorney to hire and i just think thats a rigged game. Reporter mueller, a former f. B. I. Director, will also explore whether the abrupt firing of james comey in may was an attempt by the president to obstruct the f. B. I. s russia inquiry. In order to dismiss mueller, the president would have to get concept from Deputy Attorney general rod rosenstein. You have seen any evidence of good cause for firing of special counsel mueller . No, i have not. Reporter President Trump ignored questions about muellers fate. Thank you. Thank you very much. Reporter attorney general jeff sessions, who has recused himself from the russia investigation, did little to clarify the president s thinking. Do you believe the president has confidence in director mueller . I have no idea. Reporter but he didnt join the attacks on mueller. You would not take any actions to try to have special investigator mueller removed giwouldnt think that would be appropriate for me to do. Reporter in fact, the white house says that President Trump interviewed mueller for the f. B. I. Director job just the day before the Justice Department announced that hed serve as an impartial special counsel. Scott, confidants of the president say this presents yet another conflict for mueller. Pelley Margaret Brennan, thanks. Now for some insight into this lets bring in dirk our chief washington correspondent exprveg anchor of face the nation. John what are the important takeaways of the testimony today . I think you have to think of it in therms of three different investigation. In terms of the mueller special counsel investigation, actually, attorney general sessions said that was a worthwhile, useful investigation to the extent that it looked at russia meddling in the election. Thats something the president has not been full throated about. The second is this question of collusion, russians plus the Trump Campaign. That was where this series of questions where the attorney general got quite heated about his meetings with russians. Thats where he was most fort right and forceful in defending himself. Then the third ye is this question of obstruction. Did the president fire james comey because he wanted him to stop the investigation . And on that, the attorney general basically didnt say very much. He was opaque, asserting not executive privilege but something short of it, but basically not answering the question. Pelley now, we saw in nancys piece, the attorney general declining to answer many questions. Where does that go from here . Well, hes asserting a privilege the president has not asserted. Hes saying the president might some day assert exclusive privilege. Well, what would happen next is congress would have to hold him in contempt, but there are republicans running congress. Theyre unlikely to do that. But were they to hold mim hymn in content, the president would have to exert executive privilege and the courts would have to work it out. But for right now, hes not talking much, and there are other official officials who ars well. Pelley so far to go. John dickerson, well be watching sunday on face the nation. Thanks. Now, jeff pegues brings us up to date on the russia investigation. I know nothing but what ive read in the paper. Reporter attorney general jeff sessionjeff sessions said t hes still not been shown the evidence of russian meddling in last years election. I never received any detailed briefing on how a hacking occurred or how information was alleged to have influenced. Reporter the intelligence community, including the f. B. I. , concluded late last year, that the russian governments cyber taerngz designed to help the Trump Campaign. Now, cbs news has learned those efforts were even greater than previously reported. During the final weeks of the campaign, former u. S. Officials say hackers tried to gain access to voter databases in more than two disindisn states. This is the first time were aware that anyone has ever successfully gotten in. Reporter in illinois, the hackers were successful. Ken menzel is general counsel of the illinois board of elections. His stateinoid the intrusions last summer. Were highly confident that no records were deleted or altered or add. Reporter but former u. S. Officials now say they cant be sure that Voter Registration data in some states wasnt taken. One source says up to six key battles ground states, including florida and wisconsin, were at risk. Before information realized it was a real problem, the source says, it was a real problem. Last week, fired f. B. I. Director james comey warned that the cyber assault could happen again. Oh, its a longterm practice of theirs. It stepped up a notch in a significant way in 1616. Theyll be back. Reporter u. S. Officials still say that they do not believe the hacks impacted the outcome of the election. Scott, even though he said he hadnt been briefed, sessions did say the u. S. Does not have a sufficient strat scwe strategy h cyberattacks. Pelley jeff pegues, our man on the investigation from the beginning. Thank you. The jury in bill cosbys Sexual Assault trial dlibded for a second today. Today they reviewed testimony that the entertainer gave more than a decade ago in which he admitted giving women drugs. Cosby is charged with disprug molesting andrea constand. He claims it was consensual. Cosby, who is 79, could face 10 years if found guilty. In georgia today, two Prison Guards were murdered on a prison bus. Two inmates are on the run, and Mark Strassmann has the story. Reporter about 70 miles east of atlanta, a pair of inmates riding on this prisoner transport bus somehow seized the guards 40caliber glock pistols and murder them. Killed were 42yearold Sergeant Christopher monica, and 58yearold curtis billue. Howard sills, the shaken sheriff of putnam county, called the inmates beyond dangerous. They need to surrender before we find them. I saw two bluteally murdered corrections officers. Thats what i saw. I have their blood on my shoes. Reporter what is your biggest worry at this point . My biggest worry is theyre going to kill somebody else. Thats my biggest worry. Reporter the escapees are 24yearold ricky dubose and 43yearold Donnie Russell rowe. Both were serving time for violent felonys. They later carjacked a green honda civic and disappeared. That prison transport bus resembles a school bus but with caged windows and a caged door that separates the inmates from the driver. The inmates somehow managed to get through. Georgia correction commissioner greg dozier if sthe gate typically locked . Yes, that gate is typically locked. Reporter so it should have been locked . Yes, sir. Reporter and at some point they managed to get through the gate and overpower the guards. Thats what it appears. Reporter the murders were also recorded by an onboard camera. The two escape ease later broke into a house, stole clothes, left behind their prison whites and hit the road again. Scott, domestics are worried that these two prisoners, dangerous and desperate, may try to go out in a blaifs glower. Pelley Mark Strassmann, thanks. Coming up next on the cbs evening news, Dennis Rodman denn arrives in north korea as an american imprisoned there flies home in a coma. And later, ejected from the drivers seat at uber. But when we brought our daughter home, that was it. Now i have nicoderm cq. The nicoderm cq patch with unique extended release Technology Helps prevent your urge to smoke all day. Its the best thing that ever happened to me. Every great why needs a great how. Its softer than ever. New charmin ultra soft new charmin ultra soft is twice as absorbent so you can use less. And its softer than ever. So its harder to resist. Okay, this is getting a little weird we all go, why not enjoy the go with charmin . I have agerelated maculare degeneration, amd, he told me to look at this grid every day. And we came up with a plan to help reduce my risk of progression, including Preservision Areds 2. My doctor said Preservision Areds 2 has the exact nutrient formula the National Eye Institute recommends to help reduce the risk of progression of moderate to advanced amd after 15 years of clinical studies. Preservision areds 2. Because my eyes are everything. I never should have allowed myself to be lured by the United States administration. To commit a crime in this country. Reporter the university of virginia student was sentenced to 17 faen years hard labor for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster of late Korean Leader kim jongil. North korea called it a hostile act against the state. After his trial, warm byer allegedly fell ill and has been in a coma ever since. The department of state has secured the release of Otto Warmbier from north korea. Reporter secretary of state Rex Tillerson credited President Trump with securing the students release, but it happened bizarrely the same day former n. B. A. Star Dennis Rodman landed in north korea. He has now traveled there five times and says he considers north Korean Leader kim jongun a friend for life. Happy birthday to you reporter in 2014, rodman even sang happy birthday to him. En route today, rodman said he was returning to try to open a door, and that President Trump would be happy about it. Now the Trump Administration says Dennis Rodman had nothing to do with warmbiers release but read of Dennis Rodman and President Trump are friend from their days on the celebrity apprentice. No wordon the three other Americans Still being held by north korea. Pelley coming up, steering ububer away from controversy. 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Travis kalanick announced to his employees he is taking a leave of absence and wrote uber has grown to challenge the taxi industry in more than 500 cities around the world but in the past year the company has faced crisis after crisis, including accusations of stealing selfdriving technology from google and protests by drivers. In a widely seen video earlier this year, kalanick argued with an angry uber driver. Kalanick described his impatience to charlie rose last year. We are generally a little bit forward leaning when it comes to trying to make progress happen. Reporter under Kalanick Uber described its corporate valleys with headings like always be huft lig, and principled confrontation. The report by former tank eric holder recommends adopting values that are more inclusive, emphasizing team work and mutual respect. Crisis communication expert jeremy robinsonleon says kalanicks exit and hold ders report are just the beginning of the changes uber is likely to need. The overall narrative has shifted so far out of ubers favor, that without big, corrective action its going to be impossible for uber to achieve a true reset. Reporter when Travis Kalanick returns to uber headquarters here, his role will be somewhat diminished. The recommendations released today, scott, call for a chief operating officer to take over many of kalanicks responsibilities. Pelley John Blackstone in san francisco. Thanks. Last night, three americans killed in afghanistan were flown home to Dover Air Force base in delaware. 22yearold dylan baldrich, 25yearold eric hoh, uck, and 29yearold william bays. All three were shot by a taliban infiltrator in americas longest war. And well be right back. Will you be ready when the moment turns romantic . Cialis for daily use treats ed and the urinary symptoms of bph. Tell your doctor about your medicines, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sex. 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Polident kills 99. 99 of odor causing bacteria and helps dissolve stains. So dentures are cleaner, fresher, and brighter. Polident. If youve got a life, you gotta swiffer what twisted ankle . Ask what muscle strain . Advil makes pain a distant memory nothing works faster stronger or longer what pain . Advil. He came to the world in the usual way ay but there were planes to catch and bills to pay so i moved my meeting saw him walk that day he was talking fore i knew it, and as he grew hed say im gonna be like you, dad you know im gonna be like you well he came home from college just the other day he said i cant thank you enough for paying my way what id really like dad is to borrow the car keys, take you to dinner and discuss my dreams and the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon Little Boy Blue and the man in the moon when you comin home, dad . Ill be home in ten and well get together then. You know well have a good time then. Pelley kevin durant was a slam dunk for m. V. P. In the n. B. A. Playoffs. He averaged 35 points a game as the Golden State Warriors clobbered the cleveland cavaliers. But lee cowan has discovered there are really two m. V. P. S. Look at me. You did it reporter what was last night like for you . That was 100. It really was. Reporter last night was about more than winning. For the warriors aerps kevin durant it was the fulfillment of a promise he made to his mom when he was just eight years old. I can remember that conversation. Reporter is that why you kept pushing him so hard . Because i knew he wanted it. Reporter wanda durant had kevin at just 21. As a young single mom, she worked the overnight shift at a post office outside washington, d. C. , struggling to provide for him and his older brother, tony. There were many nights that i didnt know how we were going to make it. Reporter where did you fiend that strength, though . Because they had you. You didnt have anybody. I couldnt quit. And there were times i wanted to quit, and i often said the sacrifice for me, really for me personally, was not dying. Thats what i sacrificed for my kids, not not not checking out on them. Reporter so how did you bring yourself back from that . Because i had them. Reporter they were everything, yeah . They needed me. Reporter there arent usually words for that kind of sack fireworks but durant found just the right ones when he gave his mom a tearful shoutout at the acceptance speech for the n. B. A. s most valuable player award three years ago. When you didnt eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. Youre the real m. V. P. applause reporter even for an n. B. A. Champion, being a mommas boy couldnt feel any better. How do you top last night . Win another championship. laughter reporter lee cowan, cbs news, oakland. Pelley and thats the cbs evening news for tonight. For all of us at cbs news all around the world, good night. Captioning sponsored by cbs. Tonight, the bachelor franchise in crisis. Going to paradise, you dont know whats going to happen. New details about the sex scandal that shut down paradise. Could this mean the end of the show forever . Then god bless you on your day a new twist in the feud that nobody saw coming. Joonl and which singers crashed on jamie foxs couch before becoming famous . Youre simt, not single . Whats going on. Why are we having this conversation . I need to know