Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump met for the first time Tuesday when they faced off in a presidential debate in Philadelphia.

After an opening handshake —?initiated by Harris — the two candidates traded barbs and went head-to-head on key policy issues as they tried to make their case to voters with less than eight weeks until Election Day.

There was no live audience at the debate, which was moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News. With a few exceptions, the candidates’ microphones were muted while their rival spoke.

The next day, the candidates would meet again in New York, putting political hostilities aside for a moment as they commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks. President Joe Biden was also in attendance.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.

Firefighters establish a defense perimeter around a house that was threatened by the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, California, on Tuesday, September 10. Flames exploded overnight in Southern California, where at least three large wildfires — the Bridge, Line and Airport fires — <a >have forced evacuations and strained local resources</a>.
Firefighters establish a defense perimeter around a house that was threatened by the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, California, on Tuesday, September 10. Flames exploded overnight in Southern California, where at least three large wildfires — the Bridge, Line and Airport fires — have forced evacuations and strained local resources.
Etienne Laurent/AP
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after she defeated Jessica Pegula in the US Open final on Saturday, September 7. It was <a >Sabalenka’s first US Open title</a> and her third career grand slam singles title.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after she defeated Jessica Pegula in the US Open final on Saturday, September 7. It was Sabalenka’s first US Open title and her third career grand slam singles title.
Julia Nikhinson/AP
This image, made from a SpaceX video, shows Jared Isaacman leading a private spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission on Wednesday, September 11. Isaacman was part of the four-person civilian crew that was <a >the first group of non-government astronauts to conduct a spacewalk</a>. They traveled farther into space than any human since NASA’s Apollo program concluded more than 50 years ago. Two crew members, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, <a >traveled farther from Earth than any other women in history</a>.
This image, made from a SpaceX video, shows Jared Isaacman leading a private spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission on Wednesday, September 11. Isaacman was part of the four-person civilian crew that was the first group of non-government astronauts to conduct a spacewalk. They traveled farther into space than any human since NASA’s Apollo program concluded more than 50 years ago. Two crew members, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, traveled farther from Earth than any other women in history.
SpaceX/AP
Ukrainian servicemen carry the coffin of a comrade during a funeral in Poltava, Ukraine, on Saturday, September 7. Funeral services were held for victims of a Russian airstrike that hit a military educational facility in central Ukraine earlier this month. <a >The strike killed 51 people and injured more than 200</a>, according to Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office. It was one of the deadliest single attacks since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Ukrainian servicemen carry the coffin of a comrade during a funeral in Poltava, Ukraine, on Saturday, September 7. Funeral services were held for victims of a Russian airstrike that hit a military educational facility in central Ukraine earlier this month. The strike killed 51 people and injured more than 200, according to Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office. It was one of the deadliest single attacks since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Evgeniy Maloletka/AP
Some of the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders clash after a play during an NFL game in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, September 8. <a >See the best photos so far from this NFL season</a>.
Some of the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders clash after a play during an NFL game in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, September 8. See the best photos so far from this NFL season.
Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Two black swans swim along a river in Beijing on Sunday, September 8.
Two black swans swim along a river in Beijing on Sunday, September 8.
Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images
Family and friends release balloons in memory of Apalachee High School shooting victim Mason Schermerhorn during a vigil in his neighborhood in Winder, Georgia, on Saturday, September 7. Schermerhorn was one of four people killed in the <a >school shooting</a>.
Family and friends release balloons in memory of Apalachee High School shooting victim Mason Schermerhorn during a vigil in his neighborhood in Winder, Georgia, on Saturday, September 7. Schermerhorn was one of four people killed in the school shooting.
Christian Monterrosa/The New York Times/Redux
Colombian athlete Mauricio Valencia sinks his teeth into his gold medal after winning a shot put event at the Paris Paralympics on Saturday, September 7. <a target="_blank">Valencia had his teeth modified to mimic fangs</a>, he said, in at attempt to change the stigma toward Paralympic athletes. "I didn't want to have the same smile as the rest of the world," Valencia said in 2019. "I've always said that Paralympic sport has to be a show. That means being outside of the stereotype of sitting in a wheelchair. It's a matter of attitude in life, and while I am competing."
Colombian athlete Mauricio Valencia sinks his teeth into his gold medal after winning a shot put event at the Paris Paralympics on Saturday, September 7. Valencia had his teeth modified to mimic fangs, he said, in at attempt to change the stigma toward Paralympic athletes. "I didn't want to have the same smile as the rest of the world," Valencia said in 2019. "I've always said that Paralympic sport has to be a show. That means being outside of the stereotype of sitting in a wheelchair. It's a matter of attitude in life, and while I am competing."
David Ramos/Getty Images
A trailer park in Patterson, Louisiana, is flooded after <a >Hurricane Francine slammed into the state</a> on Thursday, September 12.
A trailer park in Patterson, Louisiana, is flooded after Hurricane Francine slammed into the state on Thursday, September 12.
Marco Bello/Reuters
Protesters try to break into a room in the Mexican Senate as lawmakers weighed a controversial judicial reform in Mexico City on Tuesday, September 10. Protesters broke into the Senate chamber and forced a suspension of the proceedings, but hours later <a >the Senate narrowly passed the reform</a>, under which Mexicans would elect judges at all levels of government by a popular vote.
Protesters try to break into a room in the Mexican Senate as lawmakers weighed a controversial judicial reform in Mexico City on Tuesday, September 10. Protesters broke into the Senate chamber and forced a suspension of the proceedings, but hours later the Senate narrowly passed the reform, under which Mexicans would elect judges at all levels of government by a popular vote.
Felix Marquez/AP
From left, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former President Donald Trump and US Sen. JD Vance attend a ceremony in New York <a >marking the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks</a>.
From left, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former President Donald Trump and US Sen. JD Vance attend a ceremony in New York marking the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Yuki Iwamura/AP
China's Guo Jincheng swims to victory in the 50-meter butterfly S5 event during the Paris Paralympics on Friday, September 6. He also set a new world record (30.28 seconds).
China's Guo Jincheng swims to victory in the 50-meter butterfly S5 event during the Paris Paralympics on Friday, September 6. He also set a new world record (30.28 seconds).
Joel Marklund/OIS/IOC/AFP/Getty Images
Tents are damaged at a humanitarian zone for displaced people in Khan Younis, Gaza, where <a >an overnight Israeli airstrike killed at least 19 people</a> on Tuesday, September 10, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel said the operation targeted Hamas fighters there.
Tents are damaged at a humanitarian zone for displaced people in Khan Younis, Gaza, where an overnight Israeli airstrike killed at least 19 people on Tuesday, September 10, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel said the operation targeted Hamas fighters there.
Mahmoud Bassam/Anadolu/Getty Images
People at the Dew Drop Inn in Washington, DC, watch the <a >presidential debate</a> between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, September 10.
People at the Dew Drop Inn in Washington, DC, watch the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, September 10.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
Climate activists from the group Extinction Rebellion stage a protest at an entrance of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Saturday, September 7. They were protesting against the museum's main sponsor, ING.
Climate activists from the group Extinction Rebellion stage a protest at an entrance of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Saturday, September 7. They were protesting against the museum's main sponsor, ING.
Dingena Mol/ANP/AFP/Getty Images
US Paralympian Fiona Howard celebrates with her horse Diamond Dunes after winning a gold medal in Versailles, France, on Saturday, September 7.
US Paralympian Fiona Howard celebrates with her horse Diamond Dunes after winning a gold medal in Versailles, France, on Saturday, September 7.
Jeremy Lee/Reuters
A man jumps in the crowd during the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, on Friday, September 6.
A man jumps in the crowd during the Cascamorras festival in Baza, Spain, on Friday, September 6.
Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images
US soccer legend Alex Morgan waves goodbye to fans in San Diego after <a >her final professional match</a> on Sunday, September 8. The 35-year-old announced her retirement from the sport last week.
US soccer legend Alex Morgan waves goodbye to fans in San Diego after her final professional match on Sunday, September 8. The 35-year-old announced her retirement from the sport last week.
Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
A bee approaches a sunflower in a field near Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, September 7. Kansas is known as the Sunflower State.
A bee approaches a sunflower in a field near Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, September 7. Kansas is known as the Sunflower State.
Charlie Riedel/AP
New recruits train at the National Defense Education and Training Center in Taicang, China, on Monday, September 9.
New recruits train at the National Defense Education and Training Center in Taicang, China, on Monday, September 9.
AFP/Getty Images
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, left, holds his hands behind his back as he and teammate Jaylen Waddle do a handcuff touchdown celebration during an NFL game on Sunday, September 8. Shortly before the game, Hill had been handcuffed and detained by Miami-Dade Police. <a >The detention</a> — as well as police interactions with two other Dolphins players — led to a public back-and-forth between the NFL team and local police and renewed the debate over how law enforcement handles traffic stops and interacts with members of the public.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, left, holds his hands behind his back as he and teammate Jaylen Waddle do a handcuff touchdown celebration during an NFL game on Sunday, September 8. Shortly before the game, Hill had been handcuffed and detained by Miami-Dade Police. The detention — as well as police interactions with two other Dolphins players — led to a public back-and-forth between the NFL team and local police and renewed the debate over how law enforcement handles traffic stops and interacts with members of the public.
Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Katy Perry performs on stage during the <a >MTV Video Music Awards</a> on Wednesday, September 11.
Katy Perry performs on stage during the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11.
Manny Carabel/Getty Images for MTV
A woman puts a Catalonian flag on her balcony in Barcelona, Spain, during the National Day of Catalonia on Wednesday, September 11.
A woman puts a Catalonian flag on her balcony in Barcelona, Spain, during the National Day of Catalonia on Wednesday, September 11.
Emilio Morenatti/AP
US athlete Hunter Woodhall celebrates after <a >winning a 400-meter final at the Paris Paralympics</a> on Friday, September 6. Woodhall’s wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, won gold in the Olympic long jump last month.
US athlete Hunter Woodhall celebrates after winning a 400-meter final at the Paris Paralympics on Friday, September 6. Woodhall’s wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, won gold in the Olympic long jump last month.
Joel Marklund/OIS/USA Today Sports/Reuters
A 72-year-old woman named Gisèle talks to the media as she leaves a courthouse in Mazan, France, on Thursday, September 5. Her husband, Dominique, <a >is accused of repeatedly drugging and raping her as well as encouraging dozens of other men to rape her in their home while she was unconscious</a>, court documents show. For the next four months, she will come face to face with her accused abusers, most of whom are complete strangers to her. CNN is not using the full names of Gisèle and Dominique to protect the identities of other family members.
A 72-year-old woman named Gisèle talks to the media as she leaves a courthouse in Mazan, France, on Thursday, September 5. Her husband, Dominique, is accused of repeatedly drugging and raping her as well as encouraging dozens of other men to rape her in their home while she was unconscious, court documents show. For the next four months, she will come face to face with her accused abusers, most of whom are complete strangers to her. CNN is not using the full names of Gisèle and Dominique to protect the identities of other family members.
Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images
People look at new iPhone 16 models after <a >Apple unveiled them</a> at an event in Cupertino, California, on Monday, September 9.
People look at new iPhone 16 models after Apple unveiled them at an event in Cupertino, California, on Monday, September 9.
Nic Coury/AFP/Getty Images
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman tags out Rob Refsnyder of the Boston Red Sox during a Major League Baseball game in Boston on Monday, September 9.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman tags out Rob Refsnyder of the Boston Red Sox during a Major League Baseball game in Boston on Monday, September 9.
Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
A model wears an evening gown during a Ralph Lauren fashion show in Bridgehampton, New York, on Friday, September 6. The show was held at Long Island’s Khalily Stables on the eve of <a >New York Fashion Week</a>.
A model wears an evening gown during a Ralph Lauren fashion show in Bridgehampton, New York, on Friday, September 6. The show was held at Long Island’s Khalily Stables on the eve of New York Fashion Week.
Simbarashe Cha/The New York Times/Redux
The Tribute in Light memorial illuminates the New York skyline to mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks. <a >See last week in 36 photos</a>.
The Tribute in Light memorial illuminates the New York skyline to mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks. See last week in 36 photos.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters