Good morning. It's Tuesday, June 15, and we're covering another vaccine success, a controversial trial in Myanmar, and more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Novavax Results

A COVID-19 vaccine developed by biotechnology firm Novavax was shown to be 90% effective against symptomatic infections, according to late-stage trial data released yesterday. The trial, which included almost 30,000 volunteers, found the treatment to be 100% effective in protecting against moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. The vaccine also provides a strong defense against existing coronavirus variants. 

If approved, the vaccine would be the fourth available in the US, in addition to shots from Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson. The first two rely on messenger RNA technology (watch overview), while the J&J vaccine leverages a genetically altered version of a common virus to stimulate an immune response. Novavax uses a third approach—injecting nanoparticles mimicking the coronavirus' spike protein. See an overview of the approach here (paywall, NYT).

The results come as the US faces a slowdown in vaccination rates, with about 61% of Americans over 12 years old having received at least one shot. New cases have dropped to around 14,000 per day, with daily deaths near 340—though the country is expected to pass 600,000 total reported deaths today, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. 

Trial in Myanmar

A military-led trial of former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi began yesterday, with the Nobel laureate facing charges ranging from importing illegal walkie-talkies to accepting bribes. Suu Kyi's supporters say the charges are fabricated and rely on obscure legal measures—an effort they say is meant to remove the popular politician from public view. 

Suu Kyi was ousted, along with the majority of the civilian government, in a Feb. 1 military coup (see our previous write-up). The coup followed November elections in which Suu Kyi's party claimed more than 80% of the seats in Parliament. Almost 900 people have been killed in protests against the military government over the past four months, with a reported 5,000 others jailed. 

Read about the shadow civilian government attempting to form, and why the US refers to the country as Burma.

Reality Winner

The former government contractor who received the longest prison sentence doled out over intelligence leaks was released from federal prison yesterday to home confinement. Reality Winner, 29, was convicted of releasing a top-secret report to The Intercept four years ago detailing the US intelligence community's assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Winner, who was supporting the National Security Agency, was the first person charged under the Espionage Act during the Trump administration, which superseded her effort to claim whistleblower protection. At the time, Winner claimed she was acting in the public interest. 

She will carry out the remainder of her sentence (from home) under the supervision of the Bureau of Prisons. Read the original report based on Winner's leaks here.

56% of Americans can't name an objective news source—share 1440 with a friend. 

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Brought to you by Picky Bars

> Music moguls Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine to open South Los Angeles public high school with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation (More)

> Disneyland to drop face mask and social distancing requirements for all fully vaccinated guests beginning today (More) | Justin Bieber and rapper Lil Baby to headline Made in America Festival (Sept. 4-5), which returns to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after the 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19 (More)

> CNN host Christiane Amanpour announces ovarian cancer diagnosis; is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment (More)

From our partners: Fuel up for your next workout, adventure, or long workday. Picky Bars are made with real food ingredients, balanced for performance, and taste flat-out delicious. This week only, take 20% off all orders of $25+ with code 1440 at checkout.

Science & Technology

> Researchers discover two new types of glial cells in the brain; study opens up a new avenue for addressing injuries that cause brain damage (More)

> New touchless imaging approach diagnoses early signs of age-related vision loss much earlier than previous methods (More)

> The Milky Way's central rotation has slowed by almost 25% since its formation 14 billion years ago, astronomers find; slowdown attributed to gravitational drag from dark matter (More)

Business & Markets

> S&P 500 (+0.2%) and Nasdaq (+0.7%) close at fresh record highs, Dow slips (-0.3%) ahead of Fed meeting today and Wednesday (More) | Crude oil prices climb to highest levels in three years as demand rebounds (More) 

> Shares of electric vehicle maker Lordstown Motors slide 19% after CEO and CFO depart; last week company disclosed lack of sufficient capital to begin full commercial production (More) | Washington Prime—US mall operator of more than 100 locations—files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection citing pandemic-related slowdowns; shares plunge 34% (More) 

> YouTube will no longer sell masthead ad placements to alcohol sales, gambling, and political organizations, among other verticals (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> NATO leaders make joint statement warning of the rising threat of China's military (More) | What is NATO? (More)

> John Demers, the Justice Department's top national security official, to resign following revelations the department sought email and phone records of Congress members; effort was part of a leak probe that began in 2018 (More)

> The UK and Australia announce trade pact, the first negotiated by the UK since leaving the European Union last year (More)

IN-DEPTH

At Any Cost

Axios | Michelle McGhee, Will Chase. Medical debt accounts for almost 60% of debt collections in the US. This investigative report dives into the billing practices of America's hospitals. (Read)

... Also, check out this Freakonomics episode on the challenges facing the US healthcare system. 

The Rise and Fall of Planet Hollywood

Esquire | Kate Storey. Behind the scenes of the peak and eventual demise of the restaurant chain that once represented the center of American pop culture. (Read)

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

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ETCETERA

America's private colleges are struggling. 

Australia grapples with a mouse plague.

... more on the scale of the rodent hordes. (paywall, WashPo)

Get a first glimpse of NASA's new megarocket.

From our partners: These might be the most cozy pair of shoes Dad will ever own. Plus, they're earth-friendly. Check them out now. #Ad

Photographer captures beautiful shots of India.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" turns 40.

The Golden Gate Bridge has an eerie hum.

The world's most famous Shiba Inu sells out.

Passive-aggressiveness in the company breakroom.

Clickbait: Houseplant sells for $20K after online bidding war.

Historybook: Magna Carta is sealed by King John (1215); Arlington National Cemetery is established (1864); Henry Ossian Flipper becomes first Black graduate from West Point (1877); RIP jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (1996).

"Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

- Ella Fitzgerald

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