Good morning. It's Tuesday, July 28, and we have our fingers crossed as the first large-scale vaccine trial begins in the US. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Moderna Vaccine Begins Next Trial

The largest COVID-19 vaccine study in the US so far began yesterday, as biotechnology firm Moderna and the National Institutes of Health kicked off a 30,000-person trial. Previous data showed the drug prompted an immune response in patients; the large-scale study involves healthy volunteers who won't know whether they've received the treatment or a placebo. Dr. Anthony Fauci said the goal is to reduce the risk of infection by at least 60%, and that preliminary results may be available in the fall. 

Similar studies of other leading potential vaccines (see list) are scheduled to be rolled out each month through the fall, with the University of Oxford's candidate scheduled next. More than 150,000 health volunteers are needed in total—visit this page if you're interested in joining a study.

Elsewhere, President Trump's national security adviser Robert O'Brien tested positive for the coronavirus, sources revealed yesterday, making him the highest-ranking administration official to become infected. O'Brien has mild symptoms and has reportedly not been in close contact with the president. 

Separately, we're reading this overview on some of the supply chain issues that have significantly hampered testing in the US. 

The US has reported almost 4.3 million total cases as of this morning, with 148,056 deaths. See how your state is doing here.

GOP Stimulus Proposal

Senate Republicans released their proposal for a fourth coronavirus stimulus package yesterday. 

Most notably, the $1T proposal would reduce a $600 per-week-boost to unemployment benefits—the last checks for which were sent over the weekend—to $200 for two additional months. A second round of $1,200 direct payments, phasing out between individual income levels of $75K-99K, is included. More than $100B is provided for education, with $70B for K-12 schools and $30B for colleges and universities. Half of the $70B is marked for schools planning to reopen in person in the fall. 

The bill includes extensive liability protections shielding businesses from coronavirus lawsuits, but does not include a cut to payroll taxes—a provision pushed for by the White House. See more details here.

House Democrats have previously passed a $3.5T package, and Congress will now rush to finish negotiations before the August recess. 

More Feds to Portland

The Trump administration will reportedly send 100 more federal agents to Portland, Oregon, roughly doubling the size of the current force. The forces are nonmilitary, largely drawn from executive branch agencies like Customs and Border Protection—but reportedly include at least one elite tactical group ($$, WSJ). At least 22 people have been arrested since Thursday, officials said. 

The news comes as the protests—sparked by the May 26 death of George Floyd, but increasingly focusing on a fence surrounding a downtown federal courthouse—continued for the 61st consecutive night. The administration has maintained a federal presence is needed to protect federal property in the city from vandalism and arson. Local police say it has become impossible to distinguish between legitimate protest and intentional criminal activity. Demonstrators have likened the federal agents to paramilitary forces, accusing them of abuse of power (and unlawful detainment).

Meanwhile, some have called for an end ($$, WashPo) to the protests, saying they've co-opted the Black Lives Matter movement.

Separately, testimony from a National Guard officer is expected to contradict the White House's account of the clearing of a protest in Washington, DC's Lafayette Square last month.

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CUT FILETS, NOT CORNERS

Overwhelmed in the meat aisle of the grocery store? Can't decide why one cut of meat costs twice as much as the seemingly identical piece next to it? Seems like the best solution might just be to close your eyes and pick one up blindly.

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See what ButcherBox has on offer today. Between their four curated boxes and one customized option, there's bound to be a fit for you. Start getting meat the right way today.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> MLB postpones three games after at least 13 Miami Marlins players and staff test positive for COVID-19 (More) | Here’s what it might mean for the rest of the MLB season (More)

> The 72nd Primetime Emmy nominations to be announced this morning; see full list of predictions (More) | “The Little Mermaid” composer Alan Menken won a Daytime Emmy Sunday to become 16th person with EGOT status (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) (More)

> “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is under investigation by its parent company WarnerMedia over accusations of racism and toxic work culture (More) | O, The Oprah Magazine to end print editions after 20 years, will go fully digital (More)

Science & Technology

> Study links early immune system response with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms; finds high levels of proteins that facilitate tissue repair correlate with milder symptoms (More)

> Comprehensive study finds link between income inequality and education gaps in the US as far back as 1908; marks the first study to examine the differences in the early 20th century (More)

> Researchers demonstrate precise creation of a single molecule from two atoms using highly focused laser beams known as optical tweezers; technique may be a route to prepare molecules for use in quantum computing (More)

Business & Markets

> US stock markets up (S&P 500 +0.4%, Dow +0.7%, Nasdaq +1.7%) on hopes of another pandemic stimulus; gold reaches all-time high (More)

> Google to allow employees to work from home until at least July 2021 (More) | Target to close stores on Thanksgiving Day, joining Walmart (More)

> Under Armour receives SEC notice regarding potential accounting irregularities of revenue in 2015-16 (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> Lawmakers honor Rep. John Lewis as he lies in state in the US Capitol Rotunda; Lewis, who will be buried Thursday in Atlanta, is the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Rotunda (More) | More photos here (More)

> First presidential debate, scheduled for Sept. 29, moved from the University of Notre Dame to Cleveland over coronavirus concerns (More)

> Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak found guilty of stealing from a multibillion dollar state investment fund; faces between 15 and 20 years in prison (More)

IN-DEPTH

The Fearsome Thunderstorms of Córdoba

NYT Magazine | Noah Gallagher Shannon. Northern Argentina's Córdoba province is home to some of Earth's most freakish and destructive storms, which are capable of forming in as little as 30 minutes. Now, scientists want to know what the deadly phenomenon can teach us about the future of extreme weather. (Read, $$)

From CEO to Fugitive

Vanity Fair | May Jeong. A look at how former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, arrested in Japan on charges of misappropriating funds, escaped from house arrest and fled to Lebanon—as told by the ex-Green Beret who helped him. (Read)

BELIEVE IN BETTER

ButcherBox believes in more than just eating meat for meat's sake. They believe in high-quality meats sourced from farmers who are dedicated to doing the right thing. And that's why ButcherBox has become the trusted source of high-quality protein for families across the country.

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ETCETERA

Trained dogs can sniff out coronavirus cases with high accuracy. 

America is running out of aluminum cans.

Mapping the oldest restaurant in nearly every country

From our partners: Escape to Punta Mita, Mexico to enjoy three nights for two at the AAA 5-Diamond St. Regis (just named one of the World's Best Resorts by Travel + Leisure) for an unprecedented $899. Choose your dates with the peace of mind that your trip is fully refundable. Book now here. #Ad

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are now Greek citizens.

Turn-of-the-century New York City in stunning high-definition color.

This 4-year-old poet is set to release his first collection.

When your dog needs their hand held at the vet.

Man paints himself painting himself drawing himself painting himself.

Clickbait: Baboons spotted in England safari park carrying knives and chain saws.

Historybook: RIP legendary composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1750); 14th Amendment, granting US citizenship to former slaves, is officially adopted (1868); Former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis born (1929); The Tangshan earthquake kills over 240,000 in China (1976).

"One man can make a difference and every man should try."

- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

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