Apple News Today

What we know about vaccine requirements for indoor dining

<p>This week, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that people in New York City will have to provide proof of COVID vaccination to dine indoors, go to the gym, or watch a live performance. As cases of the Delta variant surge, <a href="https://apple.news/AKE2OzLuHTTqYBvpdp790mA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Quartz</a> looks at how vaccine passes are being are being implemented in Europe.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>After a string of legal defeats, a program that would forgive the USDA loans of 16,000 minority farmers is facing an uncertain future. <a href="https://apple.news/As0geEZ7jQrKw9--xGB47_Q?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Politico</a> reporter Josh Gerstein breaks down why conservative challenges to the program are presenting the Biden administration with a stark choice.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>A move by lawmakers to ban surprise medical bills from January leaves urgent-care clinics in a gray area. <a href="https://apple.news/AeinDxRHcTampNLrnqZU4-w?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Kaiser Health News</a> explains why experts say the regulatory gap could leave patients at risk.</p> <p>The <a href="https://apple.news/AxPqkiJ0hQn-aF3jJr-4GHQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> looks at an investigation into the NCAA that found that it has consistently undervalued women&rsquo;s basketball.</p><p>After a string of legal defeats, a program that would forgive the USDA loans of 16,000 minority farmers is facing an uncertain future. <a href="https://apple.news/As0geEZ7jQrKw9--xGB47_Q?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Politico</a> reporter Josh Gerstein breaks down why conservative challenges to the program are presenting the Biden administration with a stark choice.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>A move by lawmakers to ban surprise medical bills from January leaves urgent-care clinics in a gray area. <a href="https://apple.news/AeinDxRHcTampNLrnqZU4-w?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Kaiser Health News</a> explains why experts say the regulatory gap could leave patients at risk.</p> <p>The <a href="https://apple.news/AxPqkiJ0hQn-aF3jJr-4GHQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> looks at an investigation into the NCAA that found that it has consistently undervalued women&rsquo;s basketball.</p>

Why top Democrats want Andrew Cuomo to resign

<p>On Monday, a report from New York attorney general Letitia James&nbsp;found&nbsp;that Governor&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;Cuomo sexually harassed state employees. Rebecca Traister of&nbsp;<a href="https://apple.news/ArS5ArWCVRL-yX3G3lJV0kA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">New York Magazine</a>&nbsp;joins the show to break down what the investigation tells us about powerful politicians and the apparatuses that protect them.&nbsp;</p> <p>Pandemic lockdowns&nbsp;saw&nbsp;many people who were recovering from drug addiction&nbsp;lose&nbsp;access to&nbsp;the&nbsp;treatment centers and in-person meetings they relied on. Peter Jamison of the <a href="https://apple.news/AypFvRznjSLa2d0m6BYNwRQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post </a>explains what this meant for a community in West Virginia.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/AKeuZ-rOfRw-hU-5JPgyihA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Bloomberg</a> reports on President Biden&rsquo;s new evictions&nbsp;moratorium,&nbsp;ordered on Tuesday. The measure gives renters&nbsp;in areas that have had "substantial or high&rdquo; levels of coronavirus transmission&nbsp;an additional two months of relief.</p> <p>Many&nbsp;Black creators responsible for creating viral dances on TikTok have struggled&nbsp;to get proper credit. <a href="https://apple.news/AWrn20YN_TYiw-SW5eRVnMg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">BuzzFeed News</a>&nbsp;describes how&nbsp;some are moving to protect&nbsp;their intellectual property.</p> <p>In 1968, two American&nbsp;athletes&nbsp;raised their fists in a Black Power gesture&nbsp;during an Olympic medal ceremony&nbsp;in Mexico City. More than 50 years later,&nbsp;<a href="https://apple.news/AXItHMJBsQ22ageGpToHL5g?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Time</a>&nbsp;reports that&nbsp;Olympians&nbsp;have continued to find&nbsp;ways&nbsp;to include protests on the podium.</p>

What’s in the new infrastructure bill — and what comes next

<p>On&nbsp;Sunday, Senate lawmakers&nbsp;announced a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan. Tony Romm of the <a href="https://apple.news/AiXmVbl-2Tlu7xpXAkjVQ1A?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> breaks down what&rsquo;s in the package and where it stands now.</p> <p>In California, more than 20,000 people were sterilized before&nbsp;a eugenics&nbsp;law was repealed in 1979. Juliana Jim&eacute;nez writes for <a href="https://apple.news/AHh1idMwQSz2uRep1-5CQPw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NBC News</a> about the history of this practice&nbsp;and efforts to compensate some of the survivors.</p> <p>A few years ago, a study found that preschoolers who watched a lot of Disney princess movies were more&nbsp;hung up&nbsp;on gender stereotypes. But the <a href="https://apple.news/AScP7xg_oQAKEtdRZq64i8Q?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> reports that the research continued and has now led to a seemingly different conclusion.</p> <p>Simone Biles&nbsp;returned&nbsp;to Olympic competition, earning a bronze medal in the&nbsp;balance-beam&nbsp;final. <a href="https://apple.news/AJRw3z2DURyqK68_OXknG-A?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Yahoo Sports</a> breaks down the results.</p> <p>Norwegian hurdler Karsten Warholm set a new world record&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;400-meter&nbsp;final. <a href="https://apple.news/AV-n3rgZsRZi19sl_kG6FOA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NBC Olympics</a> has the coverage.</p>

How applying for social services is designed to waste time

<p>To access government services, Americans often spend countless hours dealing with red tape. Annie Lowrey of the <a href="https://apple.news/ACBNt_m7xSqC3jVRiM0FYqg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Atlantic</a> explains why she calls this a &ldquo;time tax.&rdquo;</p> <p>Many homeowners have been able to defer their monthly mortgage payments during the pandemic. The <a href="https://apple.news/AFh8wIaV4ReSemZ61njz6uw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> reports on the end of the forbearance period and what it means for borrowers.</p> <p>Dino nuggets are a surprising feat of design and engineering. The <a href="https://apple.news/Az61Bkx72TB6T25TVPeIFcQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> talks to a mastermind behind these kid-friendly shaped chicken-nuggets.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/AQOUL_fDpQ0-utgYvnDkbOw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NPR</a> has the details of a study that found that Olympic bronze medalists are often happier than those who win silver.</p>

In Conversation: Roxane Gay talks Kelis’s farm and the beauty of homegrown food

<p>Kelis is a pop star most widely known for her 2003 hit single, “Milkshake.” She’s still performing, but her talents and interests extend beyond the music world. A few years ago, she and her husband bought a farm outside L.A. and started living off the land.<br> </p> <p>Best-selling author Roxane Gay wrote about Kelis’s experience running the farm for <i>Harper’s Bazaar.</i> In her article, Gay explores why Kelis started farming and the freedom it has brought her. Gay also looks at the barriers that often stand between Black people and homegrown food. Gay’s article, called “How Kelis Remixed Her Life,” is available to read (and listen to) in Apple News+.</p>

New CDC document strikes urgent tone on Delta variant

<p>An internal CDC document obtained by the <a href="https://apple.news/AGgVqTlDsSCSsXJ_FgGvh8A?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> strikes an urgent tone about the dangers of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.</p> <p>Tomorrow, an important federal eviction moratorium is set to expire. The <a href="https://apple.news/A77-qX9RhQueXly_pjBBSkA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Guardian</a> reports on the impact.</p> <p>Last year, the U.S. homicide rate surged by 25%. <a href="https://apple.news/AopYNxcLvQJmz9TSd4jNxMg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">ProPublica</a> visits Philadelphia to see what increased violence there reveals about the national picture.</p> <p>The flowers in bouquets held by victorious Olympians during medal ceremonies tell a story of remembrance and rebuilding. <a href="https://apple.news/AMv3W1VOwSmG1UXFz42f8AQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NPR</a> explains.</p>

Why the IRS goes after low-income Americans

<p>The IRS spends a surprising amount of time targeting low-income taxpayers. In the <a href="https://apple.news/ARTSI40jDS4K3t8otaOrzJw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Atlantic</a>, law professor Dorothy Brown argues that America&rsquo;s auditing system is deeply unfair.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/AXDkNg8IyS6irnurrBQMiZw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Vox</a> explains why U.S. public housing is in such a dilapidated state.</p> <p>A new study finds financial stress can make parents less likely to interact with their children. The <a href="https://apple.news/Ahek9AxHETXqNdb-uLJSoCA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> breaks down the potential impact on a child&rsquo;s ability to build their vocabulary.</p> <p>The <a href="https://apple.news/ApGbDNRQRSGW4Tak3omGVNA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> looks at how a rule change is making Olympic fencing more interesting. It&rsquo;s designed to fix an unexpected problem: fencers refusing to fight.</p>

Vaccine mandates gain steam amid surge in coronavirus cases

<p>As U.S. coronavirus case numbers surge, driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant, more and more governments and businesses are mandating COVID vaccines. <a href="https://apple.news/Aoge5hAWuQvuKCd6rANDuPw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> health reporter Dan Diamond joins the show to explain the trend.</p> <p>Restorative justice is a form of conflict resolution that attempts to tackle problems that prison sentences alone don&rsquo;t typically resolve, including by having offenders and survivors face each other. <a href="https://apple.news/AFPc7QyzhSZaE9CDVPDEuZw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">New York Magazine</a> takes us inside the process.</p> <p>The Arab Spring protests began in Tunisia. Right now, democracy in that country is on shaky ground. <a href="https://apple.news/A_B0m3P-zSDig1CNZIAHiSA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Vox</a> explains.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/AyGMUkeNOT3-2Y2FNO0bgUg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NBC Sports</a> reports on Simone Biles&rsquo; decision to pull out of the individual all-around gymnastics competition at the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health.</p>

Officers share stories of lasting wounds from Capitol attack

<p>Officers who defended the Capitol against rioters during the January 6 insurrection testify before a House select committee today. The <a href="https://apple.news/Aw1rjmlHgT6G188gEyJFXIA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> speaks with some of them about the mental and physical injuries they experienced.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/APGcTcLtVT8OaSYHxsq8dIw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">BuzzFeed News</a> has an in-depth report into how the government handled a criminal conspiracy case that included an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan&rsquo;s governor. It&rsquo;s raising questions about the role of government informants in the case.</p> <p>Low-wage workers in America have been pushing for more pay and better benefits for years. <a href="https://apple.news/A9rzvWyLIQQ6tJYSGpdaKfA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Time</a> reports that many of them are starting to win those fights.</p> <p>NBC Sports reports on surprising Olympic upsets in <a href="https://apple.news/A2RgY0axEQ3-sZ_j0VZOZQA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">tennis</a> and <a href="https://apple.news/ArYfja2EySWS7u8lF9PzydQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">swimming</a>. Plus, our interview with American swimming gold-medalist Lydia Jacoby.</p>

What doctors are seeing in states with low vaccination rates

<p>Doctors and public-health officials in states with low COVID-vaccination rates are trying to get more shots in arms as the Delta variant helps drive case numbers back up. <a href="https://apple.news/AMtA4UgZETz-v9Z2-r-92Qw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Politico</a>&rsquo;s Erin Banco reports from Alabama and Louisiana on why some states are having trouble.</p> <p>The catastrophic flooding we&rsquo;ve seen around the world lately is a reminder that many American cities aren&rsquo;t well prepared for heavy rain, <a href="https://apple.news/At49SUX0tR2GMy8cvZvWwPg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Slate</a> says.</p> <p>The price of diapers is on the rise. The <a href="https://apple.news/A7D9oBaIgRiiNCvz-OcsJAg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> reports on how this has politicians considering new moves to help families who are struggling with the cost.</p> <p>As U.S. Olympians compete in Tokyo, a 101-year-old coaching legend will be watching. The <a href="https://apple.news/AScNLTgHMTvaqAH0s7Jgzhw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">L.A. Times</a> has the story of the godfather of judo in America.</p>

In Conversation: How loss has propelled Olympian Lolo Jones to new success

<p>Lolo Jones is one of only a few Olympic athletes who has competed in both the Summer and Winter Games. She started out racing in track and field but suffered a crushing loss in the 2008 Olympics. Jones later turned to bobsledding and won’t be competing in Tokyo this year. Instead, she’s currently training to qualify for the Winter Games in 2022.<br> </p> <p> <i>Sports Illustrated</i> recently featured a profile of Lolo Jones written by Julie Kliegman. The piece looks at the ways Jones has used her setbacks as fuel to pivot and redefine success for herself. It also covers how the athlete has suffered intense media scrutiny throughout her career. Kliegman’s article, called “Lolo Jones’s Eternal Reinvention,” is available to read (and listen to) in Apple News+.<br> </p> <p>Jones joined Apple News Today’s In Conversation to discuss the Tokyo Games, her struggles with mental health, and her experiences appearing on reality TV.&nbsp;</p>

Kiddie-pool swims? Odd tales of pandemic Olympic training.

<p>Pandemic shutdowns pushed Olympians to get creative about their training while gyms and other facilities were closed. The <a href="https://apple.news/AuJ7WMWyeSySCaLxE-y4jGg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> spoke to athletes who improvised in unusual ways, from swimming in a kiddie pool to fencing in an alley.</p> <p>Many women in the restaurant industry face sexual harassment. <a href="https://apple.news/AeugvedCjQe6PYYO0zwcRdg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NPR</a> looks at new research linking dependence on tipping, and job requirements to appear friendly, with an increased likelihood of being sexually harassed.</p> <p>A tiny island off the coast of Louisiana is disappearing, leaving its Indigenous residents with a difficult decision to make. <a href="https://apple.news/A1CHsaiqrSUikDdCYw5T2tQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Inside Climate News</a> went there to tell their story.</p> <p>A clever community of cockatoos in Australia has figured out how to open people&rsquo;s trash cans. The <a href="https://apple.news/AttaSLGSWR7-cuS-s4axjzA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Atlantic</a> reports that scientists are fascinated by the way the birds seem to be learning to lift the lids from one another.</p>

Delta variant threatens to upend U.S. economic recovery

<p>The <a href="https://apple.news/A8gahhecISUC1pxNcKzn5nw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> speaks to business and policy leaders who worry the fast-spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus could upend America&rsquo;s economic recovery, just as federal stimulus programs run out.</p> <p>Many customer-service representatives regularly face both verbal abuse from customers and pressure from demanding managers. <a href="https://apple.news/AbF1wU7bsQuyCVxfhydhy4g?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">ProPublica</a> talked with several of these workers, who shared often disturbing stories about their jobs.</p> <p>If you&rsquo;re looking to adopt a dog, you might have to wait a while. <a href="https://apple.news/AytMjSg_tRzOrhj6es26W3A?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">New York Magazine</a> has an in-depth look at why the number of rescue dogs is dwindling as demand grows.</p> <p>The host of the NBC Olympics podcast <a href="https://apple.news/AMQKQB4M0RHWLvms-Sl5QZQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">The Podium</a> joins the show to talk about what to watch for as the Games get underway.</p>

A congressional showdown over the future of infrastructure

<p>New numbers show U.S. life expectancy dropped by about a year and a half in 2020. <a href="https://apple.news/AxroWCasvQ22HPO-Zj5FgDw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">CNBC</a> has the latest data on COVID-19&rsquo;s deadly impact on America.</p> <p>Talks over big-ticket infrastructure spending could finally come to a head in Congress this week. <a href="https://apple.news/A-gJkvScLROSLWGleZ3YwIQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Politico</a> explains how a risky bet by the Senate&rsquo;s top Democrat could determine the fate of around $600 billion in new spending.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/A6kVDzIYCQ-O4TRy9U9gcYg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">ESPN</a> reports on the Milwaukee Bucks&rsquo; NBA Finals victory, their first championship win in 50 years.</p> <p>At least a dozen athletes competing for Team USA in Tokyo are mothers. The <a href="https://apple.news/Aq66LyzndQo-muajnuyTKtw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> talks to a number of Olympians on the fight to change attitudes about motherhood and sports.</p> <p>Tilda Swinton&rsquo;s dogs have won an acting prize at Cannes. <a href="https://apple.news/Aa6KhcDVzSEejbNU0z_WBbQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">W Magazine</a> has the story of the Palm Dog, an unofficial award with quite a following.</p>

How spyware allowed governments to hack people’s smartphones

<p>The <a href="https://apple.news/AJz1t6rJETNWI6M3NUzFiDg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> is out with new investigative reporting on how governments around the world have used powerful spyware to track journalists, activists, and executives by hacking their smartphones.</p> <p>As climate change drives temperatures up, <a href="https://apple.news/Art2gSgPTSae_lbc9FkErUQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">USA Today</a> looks at how farmworkers are facing increasing health hazards in the extreme heat.</p> <p>It&rsquo;s a bad time to buy a car, new or used. <a href="https://apple.news/Aw99cUbBwTkeckzZ9pCDuKg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Slate</a> explains why prices are so high and says they&rsquo;re likely to stay that way for a while.</p> <p>Olympians Kristie and Samantha Mewis are the first sisters to play together for the U.S. women&rsquo;s soccer team in a world championship. The <a href="https://apple.news/AgR75n1m1QOCH6aKgCPPqrw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> spoke with their parents about what it was like to raise two soccer stars under one roof.</p>

Why these refugee athletes opted out of the Olympics

<p>The Refugee Olympic Team consists of athletes who have fled their home nations. Its road to Tokyo has been challenging. <a href="https://apple.news/A3_dAJChTRJmHCLui265uKg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Time</a> correspondent Vivienne Walt joins us to talk about why several athletes who have left the team since the 2016 games say they felt trapped and exploited.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/AyyjinZ64R1q2_ORj1eupew?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Vox</a> explains why DACA has been ruled illegal, and what that means for the future of this immigration policy.</p> <p>Hiring is picking up as the economy starts to recover. But the <a href="https://apple.news/A0UAl0MBnQni2Dfq9mgf1rQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> says that many jobs lost during the pandemic won&rsquo;t be coming back.</p> <p>The summer phrase &ldquo;dog days&rdquo; takes its name from the sky, not how our pets laze around in the hot sun. <a href="https://apple.news/ALuXG2aP_R0SBhHtIi1_xjw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">National Geographic</a> explains the term&rsquo;s celestial origin.</p>

In Conversation: Louise Radnofsky on how Simone Biles stays balanced

<p>Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in the world, with four Olympic gold medals and 25 world championship wins. At age 24, she is still breaking new ground in the sport, and she will be leading the U.S. gymnastics team in Tokyo this month. And Biles has accomplished all of this tremendous success while facing many challenges in her personal life.<br> </p> <p>In <i>WSJ. Magazine,</i> sports reporter Louise Radnofsky has a profile of Simone Biles. Radnofsky spoke with Biles about her remarkable career and how she keeps gymnastics in perspective amid enormous pressure. Radnofsky’s article, called “Simone Biles Will Not Be Denied,” is available to read (and listen to) in Apple News+.</p>

Why the term “breakthrough infections” is misleading

<p>The <a href="https://apple.news/Aw_bdPHv4RrGG1wbKViyImQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Atlantic</a> explains why the term &ldquo;breakthrough infections&rdquo; may be creating confusion about just how well the COVID-19 vaccines are working.</p> <p>Families are starting to get the new child-tax-credit payments. The <a href="https://apple.news/AWhIwwZR0T4GqjOSzWdVFSg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> breaks down a program that&rsquo;s being called the biggest anti-poverty effort in decades.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/Ai1PHNKPTSquUGFWtU9XM9A?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">CNN</a> has an update on the deadly flooding in Europe, where dozens of people are dead and hundreds missing.</p> <p>Venus is relatively close to Earth, but we know surprisingly little about our &ldquo;sister planet.&ldquo; <a href="https://apple.news/A0pDPP0LURly0bvtZB99vzg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Popular Science</a> spoke with scientists working on the first NASA-funded missions to Venus in decades.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/Az9vsezIBQzSBrLGBrVR9XQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Gizmodo</a> reports on new research that has identified 14 living descendants of Leonardo da Vinci.</p>

Bitcoin miners scramble for cheaper, cleaner power sources

<p>The price of bitcoin has been up and down in recent months. But either way, the environmental cost of mining cryptocurrency is very high. <a href="https://apple.news/Af1HV2LB_TymR40BxV_CANQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Bloomberg</a> looks at how growing concern about all the energy consumed is leading miners to search for new power sources.</p> <p>Many special policies that made telemedicine easier during the pandemic are going away. <a href="https://apple.news/AcFwD8JJqQEea-wire-yOUw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Stat</a> explains how this shift is presenting challenges for doctors and patients.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/AbwuO6pFRTdqqQGDTVZXNSg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">National Geographic</a> reports on new research showing trout can get addicted to meth. It&rsquo;s an environmental concern, because it shows how the drugs people use can enter waterways through the sewer system and harm fish.</p> <p>Many Americans are confronting extremely long waits for passport renewals. The <a href="https://apple.news/AMvLJP0NQQkSh_bqdtAdugw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> breaks down why and has tips on how to deal with the problem.</p>

Cuba protests put pressure on Biden to change U.S. policy

<p>The <a href="https://apple.news/AxzNwGrxZSVS_0GC-_y3qwQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Miami Herald</a> looks at how recent protests in Cuba may influence President Biden&rsquo;s policy toward the country.</p> <p>Senate Democrats say they have agreed on a $3.5 trillion budget that they can pass without Republican support. <a href="https://apple.news/A0TBeHWgsTWGgJ9IUmBtjWw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">CNN</a> has details on what&rsquo;s inside.</p> <p>As Britney Spears&rsquo;s fight to exit her legal guardianship continues, <a href="https://apple.news/AAo3GRWI-T_eZ5XUTeOrFTQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Politico</a> looks at how it&rsquo;s driving Congress to call for reform to the conservatorship system.</p> <p>A <a href="https://apple.news/A48scIT-sTju0rX02byqBCw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> investigation reveals how a legacy of racial discrimination makes it harder for some Black families in the Deep South to get federal disaster aid.</p> <p>A solo cyclist just finished the Tour de France route the old-fashioned way, to raise money for charity. The <a href="https://apple.news/AwbV0gTyBTOeYFDR_B5qWxw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> reports on how the ride is even more challenging without the support crews and fancy hotels the pros use.</p>

What’s next now that U.S. troops have left Afghanistan?

<p>The top U.S. military official in Afghanistan has stepped down, the <a href="https://apple.news/Ac5bxrOUcSH6TkxeWPRJYEg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> reports. <em>Post</em> journalist Pamela Constable discusses this symbolic end to America&rsquo;s 20-year war.</p> <p>Texas Democrats flew to Washington, D.C., to prevent state Republicans from passing new restrictions on voting. The <a href="https://apple.news/AhJTl5E3PR8u0pLmjRNDs2Q?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Texas Tribune</a>&rsquo;s Alexa Ura explains what&rsquo;s happening.</p> <p>For decades, the Olympics has been controversial because of the financial and environmental burden it can place on host cities. <a href="https://apple.news/AvLtZpz0wStiD2v0hectPdg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Popular Science</a> explores a provocative proposal to end this by creating a permanent Olympic city.</p> <p>A copy of Nintendo's <em>Super Mario 64</em> sold for more than $1.5 million, a record for a video game. <a href="https://apple.news/AVNnDjsnvSLKLL2YZt7dMUA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Vice</a> explains why unopened games are fetching such high prices.</p>

A critical voting-rights battle is happening right now

<p>As high temperatures continue to scorch the American West, the <a href="https://apple.news/AyCqJ4v3WShe2c1U0MewqhA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">BBC</a> reports on how the intense heat is making it harder to fight wildfires.</p> <p>Texas is again at the center of the fight over the future of voting rights. As state Republicans try to pass new restrictions on voting, the attorney general is facing criticism over the arrest of a Black man accused of illegally voting because he cast a ballot while on parole. The <a href="https://apple.news/APW1gkJxqTjSAn9R4R6SXfQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> has the story.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/A_4KArh0kT9uP4pWG3S6JQQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Vox</a> reports on how expiration dates on food labels can confuse people into throwing away perfectly good food.</p> <p>In Maine, populations of poisonous caterpillars are booming, and it&rsquo;s making people miserable. The <a href="https://apple.news/AmTIzmEjZSX2rFoqdyq4PIA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Atlantic</a> explains the role of climate change.</p>

In Conversation: Inside the science behind life extension and the end of death

<p>A growing field of experts seeks to rewrite the limits of the human lifespan. The actual science that may eventually yield the keys to immortality is in its infancy, and there are several promising areas of research. But a burgeoning industry of enthusiasts and opportunists may be taking advantage of that science to push questionable treatments and products.<br> </p> <p>Jacqueline Detwiler-George recently wrote about the expectations and reality of life extension for <i>Popular Mechanics</i> in an article called “Can Science Cure Death?,” available to read (and listen to) in Apple News+.</p>

Haiti’s assassination crisis — and how it affects the U.S.

<p>Authorities say two Americans are among those under arrest in Haiti in connection with the assassination of President Jovenel Mo&iuml;se, <a href="https://apple.news/AN0X_SCJpTSmHXhQBfsoInw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Reuters</a> reports. The police chief says more than two dozen heavily armed commandos were part of a foreign hit squad. <a href="https://apple.news/AEmP7oScISxC8Ng1Zg9ZdeQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NPR</a> puts the current political turmoil in context.</p> <p>Last year saw an increase in driving deaths in the United States, even as fewer miles were driven during the pandemic. <a href="https://apple.news/AB0HpxFL2R26dFY5gRz9MYA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Road &amp; Track</a> looks at what&rsquo;s going on.</p> <p>The <a href="https://apple.news/AvwxNbSPDQyyIeDUDx5UC0Q?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> shares some advice on how to safely have work drinks again after months locked down and drinking at home.</p> <p>Zaila Avant-garde is the Scripps National Spelling Bee&rsquo;s first African American champion. <a href="https://apple.news/AW0NVtn7LRHOQIliE0OfnyA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">ESPN</a> has her story.</p>

Is your favorite team owned by a tax-avoiding billionaire?

<p>The latest story in <a href="https://apple.news/ACc0-yyC8SfOjYICBFhdhvw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">ProPublica&rsquo;s</a> series <em>The Secret IRS Files</em> looks at how billionaire owners of professional sports teams can legally avoid paying taxes. Reporter Justin Elliott joins the show to talk about what the investigation uncovered.</p> <p>The highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus is tearing through the U.S., putting unvaccinated people in special danger. <a href="https://apple.news/AkWoPz21fRnOXVCfEK0T-Hw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Bloomberg</a> looks at why vaccination rates are lower in communities that voted for Trump.</p> <p>Climate change may be shrinking animals around the world. <a href="https://apple.news/AhYy9lLu2R-6W_W42S3f_HQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Vox</a> explains the surprising new research.</p> <p>The <a href="https://apple.news/AejExsSZXToyDYtOSWFuJYw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> reports on how rescheduled weddings are creating a glut of nuptials this summer as lockdowns end, which is exhausting and expensive for guests.</p>

Delta variant puts unvaccinated Americans in greater danger

<p>The highly contagious delta variant is now the dominant coronavirus strain in the United States. The <a href="https://apple.news/ACnAg0429STOCjfE-qjVJdQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">L.A. Times</a> explains why Black residents are suffering from higher rates of hospitalizations.</p> <p>Food prices are surging to the point where they could could change the diets of people around the world and rock the global political landscape, according to the <a href="https://apple.news/AhVgUw8QoQqC8sFsJkD2saw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a>.</p> <p>Star American sprinter Sha&rsquo;Carri Richardson is barred from the Olympics in Tokyo after testing positive for marijuana. <a href="https://apple.news/A2iY-mD9_SguKoxvus7FNww?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">USA Today</a> reports on the latest decision from track officials.</p> <p>A controversial new law governing wine labels in Russia has French champagne producers outraged. The <a href="https://apple.news/A1S8qg38KTxuzan4pFbcQmg?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Guardian</a> has the story.</p>

As Elsa threat looms, data shows poor get less FEMA aid

<p>Tropical Storm Elsa is threatening to bring heavy rain and possible tornadoes to Florida, potentially complicating the search for missing people in the collapsed condo tower in Surfside. <a href="https://apple.news/A38K8z4vsQdmB2hfQf9mCiw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">CNN</a> has an update.</p> <p><a href="https://apple.news/AcH_vyeMZSfy6bLaZSwsosQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NPR</a> looks at FEMA data showing that lower-income Americans are less likely to receive federal disaster assistance.</p> <p>The Biden administration wants to review thousands of Trump-era deportations, in an unusual move that could bring some people back to the U.S., the <a href="https://apple.news/AdRMIimcjRhCmhBTexwgTUA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Marshall Project and Politico</a> report.</p> <p>The pandemic created new opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to start their own businesses, according to the <a href="https://apple.news/Am0BtnEJjRG-fyTqbazeweA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">L.A. Times</a>.</p> <p>Big changes to orchestra seating arrangements could help limit the spread of the coronavirus, new research suggests. <a href="https://apple.news/ApW3UXSvaSGy_Du5a-5FoRQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Smithsonian Magazine</a> breaks it down.</p>

Allison P. Davis and Zola’s Twitter Thread

<p>A’Ziah King, also known as Zola, went viral on Twitter back in 2015. Her series of 148 tweets detailed a mostly true story about a trip down to Florida for an exotic-dancing gig that went awry. A film, titled ‘Zola’ and directed by Janicza Bravo, has now been made based on that viral Twitter thread.&nbsp;</p> <p> <br> </p> <p>Allison P. Davis, a features writer at New York Magazine, recently profiled Zola. Davis details how many different interests tried to take control of Zola’s story during the filmmaking process —&nbsp;and how Zola feels the final product centers her voice. Davis’s article, called “The Real Zola,” is available to read (and listen to) in Apple News+.</p>

The future of voting rights after the latest SCOTUS decision

<p>It could now be more difficult to challenge local election rules under the Voting Rights Act, following a 6-to-3 Supreme Court decision upholding voting provisions that Democrats and civil-rights groups argue disproportionately hurt voters of color. <a href="https://apple.news/Ax41T8ctYQHKw8xCMsJ5LIw?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">SCOTUSBlog</a> and <a href="https://apple.news/AApk7Ei12Qz6lt-nfrePXaA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Vox</a> analyze the ruling.</p> <p>The Biden administration is pausing federal executions. The <a href="https://apple.news/AN7sJugKWTwK0OPPUHromyA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Wall Street Journal</a> explains how this reverses the previous administration&rsquo;s policy.</p> <p>With restaurants opening back up, the <a href="https://apple.news/AzGPAwimhQY6f6pyeJKHUpQ?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Atlantic</a> looks at how the pandemic changed the way we tip and whether the new habits are here to stay.</p> <p>A massive research project has recorded more than 1 million hours of rainforest sounds. <a href="https://apple.news/ANRCBJWRwS9WvIxx_5HPj1g?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">National Geographic</a> details how these recordings help researchers better understand nature and fight poaching.</p>

Why is Bill Cosby free? Lawyers explain a surprise ruling.

<p>Bill Cosby is out of prison after a court vacated his 2018 indecent-assault conviction. <a href="https://apple.news/A97DdKxaDTuCm9EUE3tkFcA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">NBC News</a> speaks to legal experts for an explanation of this surprising turn in one of the highest-profile criminal cases of the #MeToo era.</p> <p>A grand jury in Manhattan has filed criminal indictments against the Trump Organization and its CFO, the <a href="https://apple.news/A1UUmbWURQRipvTjsEuShMA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Washington Post</a> reports. Sources tell the Post the charges relate to allegations of unpaid taxes on benefits provided to execs.</p> <p>A year ago, China passed a national-security law in Hong Kong that has dramatically changed life in the city. <a href="https://apple.news/A1sqwMKQpS6OcR3scyKc7-g?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">CNN</a> looks at its impact.</p> <p>When someone on Twitter accused pop star Olivia Rodrigo of copying an Elvis Costello song, the alt-rock icon had an unexpected response. <a href="https://apple.news/AXW8P3SMaSkWCtVU3m861kA?campaign_id=applenewstoday_shownotes">Billboard</a> has the story.</p>