Tuesday, June 15th, 2021
600K American Deaths, QAnon Warning & Theme Parks Comeback
All the news in about 10 min:
This episode is brought to you by Ritual.com/newsworthy and Rothys.com/newsworthy
Story Summaries
All the news stories mentioned in today's episode are listed with links below, so you can spend as much -- or as little -- time as you want to read the latest happenings...
U.S. Records 600,000 Covid Deaths
Today, the U.S. is set to pass 600,000 people reportedly killed by COVID-19. The true death toll is believed to be much higher. However, the pace of deaths is slowing. The number of Americans dying from COVID-19 has gone from thousands a day to hundreds. Still, some people seem to be more susceptible than others. Black Americans are dying at higher rates than other groups. Location is also a big factor since some places have more people vaccinated than others. Vice President Harris is now touring southern states in hopes of boosting vaccination rates.
Read More: CNN, WaPo, Reuters, AP, Johns Hopkins
Novavax Vaccine Trial Results
More COVID-19 shots could be available soon to boost the vaccine supply worldwide. Novavax says it completed its final-phase trial and found its two-shot option was about 90% effective against a few different COVID-19 variants. The shots were also proven to be safe, with trial volunteers only getting mild side effects like temporary fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. Novavax eventually plans to seek authorization from the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere by the end of September. If all goes well, it hopes to have about 110 million doses for the U.S. and more than a billion doses for developing countries over the next year.
Read More: AP, CNBC, WaPo, Novavax
New Intelligence QAnon Warning
The FBI has a new warning for lawmakers, saying people who believe QAnon conspiracy theories could get violent against Democrats and other political opponents. Many people keep sharing QAnon content online, apparently believing Trump is now a so-called “shadow president,” or that President Biden’s victory was a sham and that Trump needs to be restored as the President. This week, the FBI and Homeland Security Department sent lawmakers a report about this, predicting some QAnon followers will likely believe they must force change by getting violent.
Read More: Reuters, CNN, AP
Govt. Data Seizure Updates
The Justice Department is making some changes to how it investigates possible leaks from now on. This comes after new details came out in the last few days about investigators secretly collecting data on several Democratic lawmakers and staff members while Trump was in office. The attorney general says his office is now evaluating and strengthening department policies and procedures when it comes to getting records from members of Congress. Also, a House panel is going to be launching a formal investigation into the data seizure. The DOJ’s Inspector General launched his investigation last week.
Read More: WSJ, Politico, NY Times, Axios
NATO Summit Wrap
For the first time, NATO leaders highlighted what they called “challenges” coming from China. They mentioned China expanding its nuclear arsenal, modernizing its military, and using disinformation to keep the rest of the world in the dark, though they made it clear China is not considered an enemy. Chinese officials have responded by saying they’re only building up their defenses and their motives are peaceful. NATO leaders also supported the American decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, saying they’ll keep discussing other ways to keep Afghanistan secure.
Read More: BBC, WaPo, NY Times, Axios, NATO
Google Expands Workplace to All
Anyone with a Google account now has access to Google Workspace for free. Workspace is the same service that used to be called the G Suite and was available to business accounts only. The idea is to make it easier for people to collaborate with services like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and more all in one place. Google is hoping Workspace will help make its products more attractive against some of its professional competitors like Microsoft Office, Zoom, and Slack.
Read More: Google, Axios, Engadget, TechCrunch, The Verge
Americans Keeping Cars Longer
American drivers are holding onto cars, trucks, and SUVs longer than ever before. Data released this week from IHS Markit shows the average vehicle on the road is about 12 years old, which is the oldest average the U.S. has ever seen. IHS credits better quality and durability. Price could also be a factor, as average prices for new and used vehicles have soared during the pandemic. Also, just because someone buys a new car doesn’t mean they’re getting rid of their old one, as many vehicles are being passed on or sold to new owners many times.
Read More: USA Today, WSJ, IHS Markit
Unsold Girl Scout Cookies
The Girl Scouts had a harder time selling cookies this year because of the pandemic. The organization says it has 15 million extra boxes of cookies leftover. Most of these unsold cookies are still sitting at the bakeries. Local councils are also sitting on at least three million unsold boxes so they are scrambling to sell or donate them. While troops typically sell the cookies in person, many of them decided not to this year due to COVID-19 health concerns and online sales didn’t make up the difference. The money from cookie sales is used to help fund activities like camps, trips, and educational programs.
Read More: AP, NY Post, People
CA Theme Parks Fully Reopen
Starting today, California is lifting most of its COVID-19 restrictions. Theme parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Seaworld are welcoming back all out-of-state visitors. The theme parks are allowed to operate at full capacity with no social distancing required. Visitors don’t have to wear a mask most of the time if they’ve been fully vaccinated. However, those who haven’t been vaccinated will have to wear masks indoors at Disneyland. That rule will be based on the honor system.
Read More: Reuters, Forbes, USA Today
Trivia Tuesday
Q: What TV series showed the first interracial kiss on American network television?
Play along on today’s Instagram Stories Quiz. We’ll also have the answer right here next week.
Last Week’s Trivia Tuesday Answer
Q: What year was the first model of the iPhone released?
A: 2007
Read More: History, Business Insider, Apple, Apple Insider