Adidas dumps Ye; sneaky omicron; Sunak becomes PM

Plus, remembering some of Leslie Jordan's most joyful moments. [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen Good morning. The l[ast solar eclipse of 2022]( happens today. This one won't be visible in the U.S., so you'll have to search for photos. Here's what we're following today: 🥇 First up [An electron microscope image shows a SARS-CoV-2 particle isolated in the early days of the pandemic. It's been nearly a year since omicron was first detected, and scientists say this branch of the coronavirus family tree is still thriving.]( NIAID/NIH via AP SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is still evolving quickly. But a new variant hasn't been named in almost a year. [Omicron and its subvariants continue to dominate](. And it's omicron's unique way of evolving that allows it to sneak past the immunity that people have built up by getting infected, vaccinated or both. It's a hard time to be the leader of a country right now. All around the world, leaders have a choice: [Try to lower inflation or work to stave off a looming recession](. It's an impossible decision, and there's no way to do both. Ye’s nearly decade-long relationship with Adidas has ended. The company [parted ways with the rapper]( formerly known as Kanye West after he made a series of antisemitic comments. People across India are celebrating Rishi Sunak as he's poised to become the next British prime minister. Sunak has [embraced his Indian and Hindu heritage]( and his achievement comes 75 years after India cast off British colonial rule. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- 📷 Picture show [Repair Together volunteers dance to music in Anysiv, Ukraine, after a day of cleaning up destroyed homes in nearby Kolychivka on Oct 1. The after-party took place in a theater damaged by shelling. Repair Together is a Ukrainian volunteer initiative that organizes young people to travel to and clean up sites damaged by Russian strikes.]( Pete Kiehart for NPR In Ukraine, dozens of 20- and 30-somethings are helping to clear the rubble left behind by the war with Russia, and they're making it fun. Techno music blasts from a Bluetooth speaker and [people dance and laugh]( as they work. "Listening to music keeps us balanced, so we can keep working," one says. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🎧 Today’s listen [Plastic piles up at recycling facility in Salem, Oregon.]( Laura Sullivan/NPR A new report from Greenpeace found that people may be putting plastic into recycling bins — but almost none of it is actually being recycled. 🎧 Listen to [why it's almost impossible to recycle plastic]( or r[ead the story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🛑 Before you go Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images - Beloved actor and comedian Leslie Jordan died yesterday at 67. Take a look at some of the moments in his life that [brought his fans the most joy](. - Colleen Hoover, the country's current top-selling author, is a 42-year-old mom and former social worker who went from tending cows to writing novels in the small Texas town where she grew up. - 🍂 The weather has cooled, the air is crisp, and leaves are finally falling to the ground. This year, [practice sustainability]( and try leaving some on the grass instead of bagging and disposing them. - Brittney Griner will appeal her prison sentence for drug smuggling charges in Russia today. A statement from her legal team says she doesn't "expect any miracles" but [hopes for a reduced sentence](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]