Good morning. It's Friday, April 9, and we're covering the diverging state of the pandemic around the world, details in a South Carolina shooting, and more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

UK Nears Herd Immunity

Researchers say the United Kingdom will reach herd immunity​ early next week when combining vaccinations and those who gained immunity via infection. Those with some form of immunity are expected to exceed 73% of the population by Monday. Infections dropped by 60% during March, with deaths dropping more rapidly, suggesting vaccines are helping prevent severe illness.

Meanwhile, the US continues to lead the world in total vaccine doses administered (175 million), with 43% of the adult population having received at least one dose. The progress comes as new, more transmissible variants continue to sweep across the country; track the variants in the US here. 

Conversely, Brazil became just the third country, behind the US and Peru, to record more than 4,000 deaths in a single day. India recorded its highest case total Wednesday, notching almost 127,000 new cases in a day. Both Turkey (54,700 cases) and Iran (21,000 cases) also hit new daily records. New daily cases reported globally have risen 60% since March 1, while deaths have risen roughly 25% over a similar time period. See a map of global hot spots here.

More than 700 million vaccine doses have been administered worldwide—though the US, India, and China account for more than 55% of the total. 

South Carolina Shooting

A suspect who shot and killed five people and injured a sixth Wednesday in Rock Hill, South Carolina, was revealed by officials to be former NFL player Phillip Adams. Adams was located at his family's home, near the crime scene, and died by suicide as police attempted to take him into custody early Thursday. 

The victims included 70-year-old Robert Lesslie, a prominent doctor in the area, and his wife Barbara, 69, along with their two grandchildren, aged 5 and 9. A man working at the residence was also shot and killed. No motive has been identified for the rampage; Adams' father pointed to injuries sustained during his career, including multiple concussions.

Studies have increasingly focused on the relationship between head trauma sustained in the NFL and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which can cause changes in behavior and impulse control. However, the disease can only be assessed post-mortem and is difficult to conclusively link to specific actions. 

Separately, one person was killed and six injured in a workplace shooting and the subsequent search in a town near College Station, Texas, yesterday.  

Unaccompanied Minors

The number of unaccompanied minors reported by immigration officials at the US-Mexico border reached nearly 19,000 in March, the highest monthly total since such statistics began being tracked in 2009. The figures come amid a broader surge in migrants arriving at the borders—more than 168,000 encounters were reported in March, the highest monthly total since 2001.  

The Biden administration has maintained the Trump administration policy of refusing entry to most migrants under pandemic-related restrictions—but has exempted unaccompanied minors, who may apply for asylum. Traditionally, children are processed before being placed with a sponsor, usually a family member or friend in the country, while they await court proceedings. 

Analysts say the policy has pushed many families to send their children across alone. Read an op-ed describing the situation from a Texas border sheriff here.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> “Schitt’s Creek,” Sam Smith among top winners at 32nd annual GLAAD Media Awards, recognizing LGBTQ representation in media (More)

> Anne Beatts, Emmy-winning writer of “SNL” and “Square Pegs” creator, dies at 74 (More) | James Hampton, actor best known for roles on “F Troop” and “Teen Wolf,” dies at 84 (More)

> Netflix inks deal with Sony for exclusive US streaming rights to upcoming films including “Spider-Man” series (More) | Lost 2010 Prince album “Welcome 2 America” to be released by the late singer's estate on July 30 (More)

Science & Technology

> Apple and Epic Games published main arguments in upcoming case over alleged anticompetitive practices in the app market; Apple says Epic intentionally provoked a ban of its popular Fortnite game (More) | Case overview (More)

> Analysis of early hominin skulls reveals human ancestor brain sizes were more similar to apes than modern humans, contrary to current thought; specimens date to 1.8 million years ago and are thought to be some of the first to migrate out of Africa (More)

> Recent studies show a new behavioral treatment and two medications may be effective in addressing meth addiction, one of the most difficult drug use disorders to treat (More)

Business & Markets

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> US stock markets up (S&P 500 +0.4%, Dow +0.2%, Nasdaq +1.0%); S&P 500 closes at record high as tech and growth stocks soar (More)

> An estimated 744,000 Americans filed initial unemployment claims last week, higher than estimates and last week’s tally; figure back above prepandemic record of 695,000 claims set in 1982 for the second week in a row (More)

> Chewy cofounder Ryan Cohen to be named chairman of “meme stock” video game retailer GameStop; stock is up more than 800% this year despite 65% fall from retail-trader-induced January surge (More)

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Politics & World Affairs

> Forensic toxicologist testifies George Floyd had a significantly lower amount of active fentanyl in his system—having metabolized a significant amount at the time of death—than typically seen in overdoses; watch testimony (More)

> President Joe Biden outlines executive actions on guns, including a ban on "ghost guns" and directing the Justice Department to establish examples of red flag laws; calls on Congress to pass a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines (More)

> Northern Ireland sees seventh straight night of violence as clashes break out between Protestant and Catholic protestors (More) | Read about The Troubles, which gripped the region for three decades until the 1998 Good Friday agreement (More)

IN-DEPTH

The Beauty Filter Experiment

MIT Tech Review | Tate Ryan-Mosley. The biggest use of augmented reality is in the beauty filters teen girls apply to themselves on social media—with lasting negative effects on their mental health. (Read, $$)

Social Media Use in 2021

Pew Research | Brooke Auxier, Monica Anderson. Take a data deep-dive into how Americans are using social media, and how the dynamics have shifted in recent years. (Read)

The Quest for a Floating Utopia

Hakai | Boyce Upholt. Would the establishment of floating cities free society from the pitfalls of modern life, or is society doomed no matter the setting? (Read)

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ETCETERA

St. Vincent's volcano is on red alert.

Discover life under the ice.

The best cities for first-time homebuyers. 

This 4,000-year-old slab may be Europe's oldest map.

Ranking America's best chocolate makers.

Speedy gamer makes "Super Mario Bros." history. (w/video)

Shaq intervenes in an engagement purchase.

Monkeys are on the loose in Cincinnati. 

Clickbait: Texas woman trims her 24-foot-long nails.

Historybook: RIP Francis Bacon (1626); Gen. Robert E. Lee surrenders to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War (1865); Hugh Hefner born (1926); RIP architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1959); HBD “Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon (1966).

"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds."

- Francis Bacon

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