JOE BIDEN (pictured being sworn in as vice president in 2009) proposed a “moonshot” to cure cancer (US Navy photo).

Boosting people’s immune systems is one priority of the White House’s planned “moonshoot” program to battle or cure cancer. A report issued Wednesday by a panel of experts is making recommendations as to what should be the priorities for research. Vice President Joe Biden originally proposed the plan after son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015. The Obama Administration has asked Congress for $1 billion over a two-year period, according to the Associated Press. Also recommended is a national network to assist patients in volunteering for cutting-edge research and learning which genes can trigger tumors.

APPLE’S NEW iPHONE CAN GET WET

The newest iPhone was revealed Wednesday in San Francisco and Apple’s top-selling device will come with dual cameras, water-resistance and won’t require a headphone jack. The iPhone 7 will allow users to hear music through a wireless headphone, rather than me physically tethered to their electronics. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, also told the audience that the new devices – iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus – will come with a faster processor and a shiny black finish. The products will be available after Sept. 16.

TRUMP WANT MORE MONEY FOR DEFENSE

DONALD TRUMP (NBC Photo).

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Wednesday promised to hike spending on defense if he wins the Nov. 8 election. “As soon as I take office, I will ask Congress to fully eliminate the defense sequester and will submit a new budget to rebuild our military. It is so depleted. We will rebuild our military,” Trump said Wednesday during a speech at the Union League in Philadelphia, according to the Washington Post. Sequestration is a spending limit approved years ago to help reduce the federal budget deficit.

RUSSIAN JET BUZZES U.S. PLANE

The Defense Department is reporting that on Wednesday a Russian jet fighter flew to within 10 feet of a U.S. Navy plane over the Black Sea in an incident that lasted 19 minutes. Said Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis, “These actions have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions, and could result in a miscalculation or accident.” The Russian jet was a SU-27; the American plan a P-8A patrol plane.

The Midday Report is posted weekdays as staff time permits. Want more national and international news? Go to http://bigstory.ap.org .