Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Tuesday, July 13, 2021:
VAX LATEST
The FDA is slapping a new warning on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to an increased risk of a rare neurological disorder known as Guillain–Barré syndrome, though regulators say the benefits of the vaccine still outweigh the risk. Data does not suggest a similar risk with the Pfizer and Moderna shots, according to the FDA. Meanwhile, Pfizer reps met with the government about the potential for booster shots, but the U.S. said more data was needed before it could be determined that boosters would be necessary. In Israel, they’ve already started giving third Pfizer doses to some high-risk adults. WASH POST
CHILD TAX CREDIT
The federal government will start sending monthly payments to most American families with children this week, the beginning of the expansion of the child tax credit that was passed as part of President Biden’s stimulus bill. The payments will cut child poverty by nearly half, according to experts -- that is, if they reach their intended targets. Families that file taxes will get the money automatically, but millions of low-income families that don’t file taxes are harder to reach. The White House has opened an online portal for those families to claim their money (here). The payments, up to $300 per child per month, are approved for a year. Beyond that, Congress would have to pass a law to make them permanent. YAHOO FINANCE
HEAT RELIEF
The Southwest is getting some much-needed relief from the heat starting today, with temps forecast to reach highs “only” in the 100s in areas that have seen highs in the 110s. Better yet, rain is coming to the drought-starved region. Arizona could see as much as 5 inches before the end of the week. The rain won’t fall in Oregon and Northern California where firefighters are battling a growing number of wildfires that have been sparked by lightning and which officials say are unprecedented for this early in the summer. NY TIMES
LATIN AMERICA TURMOIL
CUBA: President Biden voiced his support for the people of Cuba after thousands of Cubans took to the streets to protest a food and medicine shortage in one of the biggest demonstrations on the island in decades. Cuba’s president has blamed the unrest on “economic asphyxiation” caused by the U.S. embargo, while Washington said it was the result of years of repressive one-party rule. A large police presence in Havana has put down whatever remained of the protests after the weekend. Dozens of activists have been detained. NBC NEWS
HAITI: The man suspected of masterminding the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise reportedly told a friend that he believed he was “sent by God” to take over the presidency. The mystery surrounding Christian Emmanual Sanon and what exactly his role was in the brazen plot continues to deepen, with other associates saying they had no idea what he was up to. NY TIMES
COFFEE CRUNCH
An historic drought in Brazil is about to make your morning coffee more expensive. Prices for arabica beans, which make up the bulk of Brazil’s coffee crop, are up 60% compared to last summer. In Brazil’s agricultural region of Minas Gerais, now is the time when beans are harvested after soaking up rainfall over the summer months. But this year, the rain never showed up. Other coffee-rich countries like Colombia and Vietnam have had better harvests, but they’re dealing with the global shipping delays and higher freight costs. The result is that global coffee supply is coming in weak just as global coffee demand rebounds out of the pandemic, and it’s only a matter of time until that is felt by consumers. WSJ
FOUR DAY WORKWEEK
The crowdfunding site Kickstarter is the latest U.S. company to test a four-day workweek. Kickstarter CEO Aziz Hasan told Cheddar how the pilot is going to work: starting next year, all employees will be expected to put in 32 hours a week -- not just 40, compressed into four days -- and without a change in their pay. Hasan says he wants his employees to have time for other creative projects and better work-life balance: WATCH
IT'S SHO-TIME
MLB All-Star Week might as well be called Shohei Ohtani Week this year. The Angels’ two-way hitter/pitcher made his highly anticipated Home Run Derby debut last night, where he was ousted by Juan Soto (Mets slugger Pete Alonso won). Tonight, Ohtani will make history as the starting pitcher and lead-off hitter for the American League in the All-Star Game at Coors Field. LA TIMES
JACKASS 4
Paramount has released the first photos from the upcoming Jackass movie, showing a gray-haired Johnny Knoxville getting flung off a raging bull -- a stunt that left the 50-year-old prankster with a concussion, broken rib and broken wrist. Jackass Forever hits theaters in October: SEE PICS
SPOTTED...
… Halle Bailey, who plays Ariel in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, sharing a first glimpse as the production wraps: SEE IT
...Rihanna and boyfriend A$AP Rocky, shooting a mystery music video together in NYC: SEE PICS
LEFTOVERS: REALITY=SATIRE+TIME
Fans of 30 Rock will remember the running joke on the sitcom about NBC creating a hit reality show called MILF Island, in which “50 sweaty eighth grade boys” are placed on an island with “25 sexy moms.” That was back in 2008. Now a version of that concept has been realized and it’s coming to HBO Max. The streamer dropped the trailer for FBoy Island, which puts three women “looking for love” on a desert island along with 24 men. Half of them are “nice guys” while the other half are self-proclaimed “f-boys” competing for a cash prize. The first three eps drop July 29: WATCH
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