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1. Ukraine
The US government is urging Americans in Ukraine to leave the country immediately, warning that Russia is stepping up efforts to launch attacks on civilian infrastructure and government facilities in the coming days. The renewed US warning follows similar announcements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials that Moscow may launch heavy attacks, including missile strikes, to coincide with Ukraine’s Independence Day on Wednesday. In some parts of Ukraine, officials have issued a ban on all large gatherings between Monday and Thursday. Meanwhile, discussions are continuing to secure the release of Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan from Russia, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said Monday, adding that officials were working “with the utmost urgency.”
2. Qualifications
Primary season resumes today with voters in Florida, New York and Oklahoma heading to the polls. In Florida, two Democrats are facing off in a closely watched gubernatorial primary, and the winner will have the chance to challenge Republican Gov. Ron DeSandis in November. Voters in New York will cast ballots in several Democratic races today after the state’s redistricting process pushed congressional primaries from June to August — and left some House incumbents in vulnerable positions. Oklahoma will also hold primaries today, including the GOP contest for the special Senate election to replace Sen. Jim Inhofe when he steps down in January.
3. Student loans
The White House is leaning toward canceling $10,000 in student loan debt for borrowers making less than $125,000, according to sources familiar with the discussions. In addition to student loan debt forgiveness for people who fall below a certain income level, administration officials also recently discussed the possibility of additional forgiveness for specific subsets of the population. The announcement could be made as early as Wednesday, but it is not clear that a final decision has been made on the details or timing. The White House is also expected to consider in the coming days whether to again extend the current pause on federal student loan payments, which is set to expire on Aug. 31.
4. Covid-19
Pfizer and BioNTech have submitted their application to the FDA for emergency use authorization of the updated Covid-19 vaccine booster that specifically targets Omicron’s BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. If approved, the updated vaccine could be available to the public by early to mid-September, according to White House officials. The new booster, which was designed for use in people 12 years of age and older, showed a “strong neutralizing antibody response” against various variants of Omicron, the companies said, citing preclinical data. A clinical study is expected to begin this month. Separately, Dr. Anthony Fauci announced Monday that he is stepping down from government roles in December after decades as the nation’s top infectious disease expert.
5. NASA
NASA’s historic Artemis I rocket is ready to launch to the moon and back. After a review on Monday, the Artemis team received the go-ahead to launch the Orion rocket and spacecraft on Monday. It will be NASA’s first return to the moon in 50 years. Once launched, the unmanned spacecraft will orbit the moon, traveling 1.3 million miles over 42 days. Artemis I will plunge into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on Oct. 10, NASA says. Orion’s return will be faster and hotter than any spacecraft has ever experienced on its way back to Earth. That mission will launch NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface by 2025 — and pave the way for human exploration of Mars .
BREAKFAST DESCRIPTION
Will Smith vs. Tarantula “We’re selling the house.” Watch actor Will Smith encounter a giant creepy crawler that walks into one of his rooms. Eeeek. William and Kate move the family to give the children a “normal” life Prince William, Kate and their three children are moving out of London and into a four-bedroom house to live a more “normal” family life. Tom Brady returns to Buccaneers training camp after an 11-day absence “I missed you guys.” It’s unusual for NFL players to leave during preseason training camp, but of course, exceptions can be made if you’re Tom Brady. Chinese censors change ending of latest ‘Minions’ movie. The ending of the recent animated film “Minions: The Rise of Gru” looks a little different in China. Here’s why. Welcome to Miniature Wonderland Check out this interesting place where you’ll find miniature replicas of some of the world’s most popular destinations: Venice, Machu Picchu and Las Vegas, to name just a few.
TODAY’S NUMBER
1,485 That’s how many U.S. flights were canceled nationwide on Monday, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport has been particularly hard hit after hundreds of flights to and from the area were canceled due to heavy rain and flooding. The major flood threat will begin to recede in the region today as the storms move east toward Louisiana and Mississippi.
TODAY QUOTE
“This issue has captured the attention of the American public.” — Former President Donald Trump’s legal team, asking a federal judge to appoint a “special master” — a third-party attorney — to ensure the Justice Department returns any of Trump’s private documents seized during the during the investigation in Mar-a- Residence Lago two weeks ago. According to the new lawsuit filed Monday, the former President claims his constitutional rights were violated and that privileged materials may have been seized. The new lawsuit marks the first legal filing by Trump’s team since FBI agents launched their investigation on August 8.
THE WEATHER TODAY
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AND FINALLY
Take a virtual holiday in Egypt This high definition video of Egypt can really make you feel like you are sightseeing among pyramids and temples. Enjoy! (Click here to view)
