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1. Congress
The Delta coronavirus variant appears to cause more severe illness and spread as easily as chickenpox, and fully vaccinated people might spread it at the same rate as unvaccinated people. (Remember, vaccines don’t prevent all infections, and people can be asymptomatic carriers of the disease.) This dire information comes from an unpublished, internal CDC document. The agency is expected to release new data today that backs up its decision earlier this week to issue stricter mask guidance. The US averaged more than 66,000 new daily cases over the last week, according to Johns Hopkins University data – an average that’s generally risen since the country hit a 2021 low of 11,299 daily cases.
2. Coronavirus
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed an executive order directing state troopers to stop any vehicle if there is “reasonable suspicion” that it is being used to transport migrants released from the custody of US Customs and Border Protection. Abbott says it is a public health measure, and has repeatedly tried to link a rise in Covid-19 cases in the state to border crossings. However, Abbott has pushed back against other measures like mask mandates, vaccine requirements and testing for immigrants released from custody. Attorney General Merrick Garland has threatened action against Abbott’s order. At the border, frustration is growing amid immigration advocacy groups over federal immigration restrictions put in place at the beginning of the pandemic that haven’t been lifted under the Biden administration.
3. Mideast violence
4. Policing
5. South China Sea
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Woman posed as gemologist and swapped diamonds for pebbles in elaborate $5.8 million heist
Rising coffee prices won’t change what you pay for Starbucks drinks
Coffee buying is a very strategic business, and in this case, the uncaffeinated masses come out on top.
Disney World and Disneyland will start requiring masks indoors again
Can you put Mickey ears on a mask?
Barbie maker says higher prices are coming just in time for the holidays
Holiday decorations have started appearing in stores in July, so why not bring along some early holiday anxiety, too!
‘Arthur’ to end at PBS Kids with Season 25 in 2022
That’s a pretty long time to be an 8-year-old aardvark.
OLYMPICS UPDATE
US gymnast Suni Lee won the Olympic all-around, extending the United States’ 17-year winning streak in the category. Lee is also the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. The Hmong people are an ethnic group that originate mainly in China and Southeast Asia.
Follow here for the latest Olympic news and highlights, and check out the best photos from the Games so far.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“The outpouring love and support I’ve received has made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before.”
Simone Biles, who recently withdrew from Olympic gymnastics individual all-around competition prioritize her mental health.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Sometimes I just want to watch cute animals fall asleep, yaknow? (Click here to view)
What’s the best way to test bear-resistant products? Well, give them to a bear, of course. (Click here to view)