Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Wednesday, June 24, 2020:
EU TRAVEL BAN: The European Union is reportedly planning to ban Americans from flying into E.U. bloc countries because of how poorly the United States has controlled the spread of coronavirus. That would put the U.S. in the same category as Brazil and Russia, on a list of nations whose citizens would be barred from traveling to Europe when its borders reopen on July 1. NY TIMES
FAUCI ON THE HILL: Dr. Fauci says he is “cautiously optimistic” that a COVID-19 vaccine will be ready by the end of the year or early 2021. Fauci testified to Congress about the country’s pandemic response, calling it a “mixed bag” so far and noting a “disturbing surge” in new infections. He also said he was never told to slow down virus testing. CNN
PRIMARY RESULTS: There’s no final calls in many of the biggest primaries given how many people voted absentee, but there are still several takeaways the morning after: N.Y.’s Rep. Eliot Engel is likely to be defeated by progressive newcomer Jamaal Bowman; AOC easily won her primary; and President Trump’s iron grip on the GOP is slipping. A 24-year-old newcomer won in the N.C. district vacated by Mark Meadows, who is now the White House chief of staff. Madison Cawthorn easily beat Meadows’ handpicked replacement, who was also endorsed by Trump. POLITICO
MACY'S FIREWORKS A GO: The famous Macy’s Fourth of July Spectacular will happen in NYC this year, though there will be some significant changes. Starting next week, there will be a series of short fireworks shows in each of the city’s five boroughs, followed by a grand finale on the 4th that will be televised - but the city is keeping the sites secret in order to keep people from congregating. ABC NY
SAVINGS SKYROCKET: Americans are saving more money than ever. U.S. banks have seen a record $2 trillion in deposits since the pandemic started and the personal-saving rate hit a record 33 percent in April, up from 7.5 percent at the end of 2019. The influx of cash from the PPP, enhanced unemployment benefits and stimulus checks are part of the reason, combined with people pausing big purchases. But with rates so low, any money you have sitting in a savings account isn’t going to be earning much in the way of interest for a long time. BI
R.I.P. SEGWAY: Segway, the company behind the two-wheeled self-balancing people mover popular with mall security guards, is shutting down its namesake product, 20 years after launching amid a frenzy of hype that it would be the next big thing in personal transport. Segway originally anticipated selling 100,000 a year, but it only ever sold about 140,000 in total. The last Segway will roll off the line on July 15. FAST COMPANY
PLAY BALL! Major League Baseball will hold a shortened season, with Opening Day set for July 23 or 24. The league and players agreed on safety protocols for the 60-game season, effectively ending the stalemate. Players report to camp on July 1. CBS SPORTS
BUBBA WALLACE UPDATE: The FBI has determined that the 'noose' that was found hanging in NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace’s garage stall had been there since October, and Wallace was not the victim of an intentional hate crime. YAHOO SPORTS
DJOKOVIC COVID POSITIVE: Novak Djokovic and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19 after hosting a series of exhibition matches in Europe without any social distancing guidelines. Previously, the No. 1 ranked tennis player in the world had not committed to play the U.S. Open, saying he didn’t want to deal with the safety protocols put in place. ESPN
'THRONES' BOOK PROGRESS: One good thing to come out of the pandemic, at least for Game of Thrones fans: George R.R. Martin has been writing. The author has updated Thrones fans on the progress of The Winds of Winter, his highly anticipated sixth installment in the series. Martin says he’s been holed up, writing away, and expects the book to be done next year. EW
SPOTTED...Timothée Chalamet and his new girlfriend, actress Eiza González, vacationing in Mexico: SEE PICS
LEFTOVERS: IT HAPPENED AGAIN: Another art conservation effort in Spain went horribly wrong, drawing comparisons to the infamous and widely mocked “Monkey Christ” painting. A private collector hired a furniture restorer to clean and restore a priceless painting of the Virgin Mary by the Spanish artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It did not go well: SEE PIC
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