Good morning. It's Monday, July 6, and we're covering a reopening in London, a (possible) change in Washington, and ongoing protests across the US. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

London Toasts Again

Pubs and restaurants in London officially reopened over the weekend, the most significant easing of restrictions in the city since a lockdown went into effect more than 100 days ago. While a wave of hospital visits from inebriated patients was avoided, officials reported many revelers ignored required social distancing rules (see video). New daily COVID-19 cases in the UK have gradually fallen to below 1,000 per day, and the country has not yet seen a resurgence comparable to the US. Most of London reported fewer than 10 cases for every 100,000 residents over the past week. However, an increase in cases from resumed activity wouldn't be apparent for weeks.

In the US, new daily cases dipped below 50,000 for the first time in four days—the holiday may have slowed reporting—while worldwide cases notched a new record, passing 212,000 in a 24-hour period. Florida reached 200,000 confirmed cases, doubling its total in less than two weeks after hitting the 100,000 mark June 22. The US daily death toll continues to remain low, with the seven-day average around 500, which has been attributed to the virus's spread in younger, lower-risk populations. The US has reported 2.88 million total cases, with 129,947 deaths, as of this morning. See the three-day moving average here.

Separately, we're reading how R0, the virus's reproduction number, became the most misunderstood metric of the pandemic.

Redskins Under Pressure

The NFL's Washington Redskins are considering a change to their team name ahead of the 2020 season, sources say. Top sponsors are under pressure to sever ties with the franchise, and FedEx—who sponsors the team's stadium—requested the team make a change last week. Nike has reportedly removed the team's apparel from its online store. 

The change would be the latest spillover effect of nationwide protests that have evolved into a broader racial and social reckoning. Estimates say the brand is worth more than $230M of the franchise's $3.4B valuation, and owner Dan Snyder has refused alterations despite years of criticism. One top contender to replace the name is the Red Tails, an homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, the Black World War II squadron whose planes had distinctly colored tails. 

In related news, baseball's Cleveland Indians are also considering a change. 

Seattle Protester Dies

One person was killed and another critically injured after a car swerved through a group of Seattle protesters Saturday. The incident occurred in the overnight hours on a stretch of I-5 that had been closed for weeks due to ongoing racial justice protests. It was not clear whether the attack was targeted, though police say the driver, Dawit Kelete, likely drove around state patrol barricades to enter. Kelete has been charged with two counts of vehicular assault. Officials said freeway protests would be prohibited going forward. 

Many protests have shifted toward tearing down statues and symbols critics say memorialize past racial injustice. A statue of Christopher Columbus was toppled and tossed into Baltimore's Inner Harbor Saturday, while a large group of armed protesters marched through Georgia's Stone Mountain, whose carved edifice is the country's largest Confederate memorial.

Separately, President Trump, who criticized attempts to tear down monuments in a July 3 speech at Mount Rushmore, announced a new National Garden of American Heroes. A list of some statues to be included can be found here (Sec. (3)(c)(i)). 

Finally, a flag-burning hoax reportedly drew armed militia members to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> Nick Cordero, Tony-nominated Broadway actor, dies at 41 after monthslong battle with the coronavirus (More) | Earl Cameron, Black actor who broke barriers in British film and TV industry, dies at 102 (More)

> UK arts and culture sector gets $2B in relief funds from the government (More) | … and some leading American actors, including Tom Cruise, will be exempt from the UK’s 14-day travel quarantine (More)

> NBA and players union agree on 29 social justice messages for player uniforms this season; see full list (More) | Five-star basketball recruit Makur Maker selects Howard University, becoming first top prospect to commit to a historically black college since at least 2007 (More)

Science & Technology

> Ancient Mayan mining operations discovered by cave divers off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula; the 12,000-year-old site was believed to be a source of red ochre pigment (More, w/video)

> Rocket Lab's Electron rocket fails shortly after launch in New Zealand, losing the vehicle and payload of satellites meant to be placed into orbit (More)

> Physicists find proof for the existence of quasiparticles known as anyons, theorized four decades ago; 2D structures are made of collective excitations of electrons and have applications in quantum computing (More)

Business & Markets

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> Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway to acquire natural gas assets from Dominion Energy for nearly $10B (More)

> Denim retailer Lucky Brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid pandemic; will shutter stores as part of restructuring (More)

> Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor Index, which measures outlook for investing environment, sees largest quarterly drop in history (More)

A credit card that packs up to $1,148 of value? Secure the highest cash back rate on the market that we've come across—with no annual fee to boot (More) #Ad

Politics & World Affairs

> Australian officials abruptly impose a strict coronavirus lockdown for nine public housing towers in Melbourne; nearly 3,000 residents barred from leaving for at least five days (More)

> French President Emmanuel Macron replaces prime minister; expected to announce a reshuffling of major cabinet members today (More)

> Twenty Saudis go on trial in absentia in Turkey over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in 2018 (More)

ETCETERA

The best Fourth of July photos from around the country.

Watch descendants of Frederick Douglass read his famous Fourth of July speech.

Hot dog eating records fall once again. 

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Here are the best ways to stargaze in July.

Japanese man graduates with a degree in ninja studies. 

Inmates are breaking out on TikTok. 

America may finally be running out of fireworks.

Ever wonder what space smells like? Either way, here's the answer.

Clickbait: Kanye West 2020.

Historybook: Artist Frida Kahlo born (1907); First MLB All-Star Game held (1933); HBD George W. Bush (1946); Althea Gibson becomes first African American to win Wimbledon (1957); RIP Louis Armstrong (1971).

"Musicians don't retire—they stop when there's no more music in them."

- Louis Armstrong

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