The Morning: What’s happening in Afghanistan

Monday offered a glimpse of life under Taliban rule. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P4QkAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS90ZW1wbGF0ZS9vYWt2Mj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnByb2R1Y3RDb2RlPU5OJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVyaT1ueXQlM0ElMkYlMkZuZXdzbGV0dGVyJTJGNDUzMTA2NjMtMmU3YS01Yjk5LWI2OWItM2Y4MzJlZWJkNzVlJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0SsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMTA4MTcmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MzgwOTcmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTY2NDQ4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgphGjiTG2GoNQgGUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) August 17, 2021 By the staff of The Morning Good morning. A day after the collapse of the Afghan government, we’re looking at how the story is unfolding. Afghans ran alongside a U.S. military plane on Monday in Kabul.Associated Press The day after the fall When the Taliban entered Afghanistan’s presidential palace on Sunday, the insurgent group completed a two-decade fight to take back control of the country. The [president had fled](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2FmZ2hhbmlzdGFuLXByZXNpZGVudC1hc2hyYWYtZ2hhbmkuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA); the interior minister announced there would be a peaceful transfer of power for greater Kabul. Monday offered the first glimpse of a country coming under Taliban control. We’ll look at how the day unfolded in three places: the airport in Kabul, where people made a desperate attempt to escape; the city itself, where most people spent the day hiding; and Washington, where President Biden stood by his plan to withdraw U.S. troops. At the airport For much of Monday, Kabul’s main international airport was a [scene of anguish and panic](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2FmZ2hhbmlzdGFuLWFpcnBvcnQtZXZhY3VhdGlvbi11cy13aXRoZHJhd2FsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Thousands of Afghans rushed boarding gates and flooded the tarmac hoping to find a flight out of the country. At one point, a crowd [ran alongside](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMS8wOC8xNi93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2thYnVsLWFpcnBvcnQtbWFwcy1waG90b3MuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) a departing U.S. military plane, with some Afghans clinging to the side of the aircraft. At least half a dozen Afghans died — some fell from the plane as it flew off, and at least two were shot by U.S. soldiers trying to contain the surging crowds. U.S. forces took over air traffic control, halting most commercial air traffic to allow more flights carrying in reinforcements and evacuating foreign citizens. Some Afghans said the efforts prioritized Americans and other Westerners over Afghans. Thousands of people camped in terminals overnight waiting for flights out of the country, many of them employees of international organizations and media companies the Taliban has targeted. With runways cleared of civilians, military flights [resumed evacuating foreign nationals early this morning](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbGl2ZS8yMDIxLzA4LzE3L3dvcmxkL3RhbGliYW4tYWZnaGFuaXN0YW4tbmV3cz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) as more U.S. troops arrived to oversee a frantic escape. By later this week, 6,000 American troops will conduct security at the airport, though Biden said they would only be in Afghanistan briefly. Even with U.S. military restoring order within Kabul’s international airport, it was unclear whether Afghans could make it there. Despite assurances from the Taliban of safe passage, there were more ominous signs on the ground. Taliban soldiers outside the airport.Reuters In Kabul The Taliban spread out across the streets of the capital city, riding motorbikes and driving police vehicles and Humvees taken from the Afghan security forces. Armed men visited the homes of Afghan government officials, confiscating possessions, while others directed traffic. But compared to the chaos at the airport, the city was eerily quiet, residents said. Kabul’s streets were empty for much of Monday, [Al Jazeera reported](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYWxqYXplZXJhLmNvbS9uZXdzLzIwMjEvOC8xNi9rYWJ1bC1uZWFyLXN0YW5kc3RpbGwtb24tZGF5LW9uZS10aGUtdGFsaWJhbnMtZW1pcmF0ZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Taliban fighters took selfies with passers-by and told residents not to fear them. “There will be no revenge” on civilians, a Taliban official [told the BBC](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TDaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2F2L3dvcmxkLWFzaWEtNTgyMjAzMDU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). The Taliban have sought to assure Afghans that life under their fundamentalist rule will be less oppressive than in the 1990s. But many are still scared. In Kabul, some residents tore down advertisements that showed women without head scarves. In other parts of the country, there were reports that fighters were searching for people who had collaborated with Americans or the fallen government. A young woman in Kabul [told the BBC](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TFaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvbS9uZXdzL2xpdmUvd29ybGQtYXNpYS01ODIxOTk2Mz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) that the city was “silent,” with many people hiding in their homes. “I’m just seeking for a way to get out of Afghanistan because there is no hope for women and the future,” she said. In Washington In a speech at the White House, Biden said the withdrawal had been “hard and messy and, yes, far from perfect” and acknowledged that the Taliban had taken over faster than his administration had anticipated. “[The buck stops with me](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9iaWRlbi10YWxpYmFuLWFmZ2hhbmlzdGFuLXNwZWVjaC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMTA4MTcmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MzgwOTcmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTY2NDQ4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgphGjiTG2GoNQgGUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~),” he said. But Biden also blamed the rapid collapse on the Afghan government and armed forces, and said he stood “squarely behind” withdrawing. “The events we’re seeing now are sadly proof that no amount of military force would ever deliver a stable, united, secure Afghanistan.” Biden said U.S. soldiers would help evacuate thousands of American citizens, vulnerable Afghans who [qualify for special immigrant visas](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi91cy9hZmdoYW5pc3Rhbi12aXNhLXJlZnVnZWVzLXVzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) and news agency workers. “Our current military mission is short on time, limited in scope and focused in its objectives: Get our people and our allies as safely and quickly as possible.” And he vowed a “swift and forceful” response if the Taliban attacked U.S. forces or tried to interfere with evacuations. The latest: - The Taliban are seeking to present themselves as responsible stewards of Afghanistan but [for millions of Afghans the future is uncertain](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P4QvAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMS8wOC8xNy93b3JsZC90YWxpYmFuLWFmZ2hhbmlzdGFuLW5ld3MvYS1yYWNlLXRvLWFpZC1hZmdoYW4tYWxsaWVzLWNvbnRpbnVlcy1ldmVuLWFzLXRoZS10YWxpYmFuLXNlZWstdG8tcmVhc3N1cmUtdGhlLXdvcmxkP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMTA4MTcmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MzgwOTcmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTY2NDQ4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgphGjiTG2GoNQgGUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). - There are also fears that the country will again become a [breeding ground for Islamist radicalism and terrorism](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNy93b3JsZC9hc2lhL3RhbGliYW4tYWZnaGFuaXN0YW4tYWwtcWFlZGEuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). - President Ashraf Ghani’s decision to flee, which scuttled negotiations for a more gradual handover, [is likely to define his legacy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P4QgAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL2xpdmUvMjAyMS8wOC8xNy93b3JsZC90YWxpYmFuLWFmZ2hhbmlzdGFuLW5ld3M_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3I2FmdGVyLTcteWVhcnMtb2YtZmFpbGluZy10by1maXgtYWZnaGFuaXN0YW4tZ2hhbmktbWFkZS1hLWhhc3R5LWVzY2FwZVcDbnl0QgphGjiTG2GoNQgGUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). - “I just wish there had been a way to leave with honor”: How U.S. veterans [view the collapse](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TdaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi91cy9hZmdoYW5pc3Rhbi11cy10cm9vcHMtdmV0ZXJhbnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). - [Lawmakers from both parties](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi91cy9wb2xpdGljcy9hZmdoYW5pc3Rhbi13aXRoZHJhd2FsLWNvbmdyZXNzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) are criticizing Biden for the chaos in Kabul. - Today’s episode of “[The Daily](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNy9wb2RjYXN0cy90aGUtZGFpbHkvYWZnaGFuaXN0YW4tdGFsaWJhbi1qb2UtYmlkZW4ta2FidWwuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)” is about decades of U.S. miscalculation in Afghanistan. Essential reporting. You make it possible. Your support makes the difference. [Subscribe today](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uP2NhbXBhaWduSWQ9OVg5OFImY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) with this special offer. THE LATEST NEWS The Virus A nurse speaking with newly vaccinated students in the Bronx yesterday.James Estrin/The New York Times - The Biden administration will recommend that most Americans get a booster shot of a Covid vaccine [eight months after](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TYaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi91cy92YWNjaW5hdGlvbi1ib29zdGVyLXNob3RzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) they received their second. - All health care workers in public and private hospitals in New York must be [at least partially vaccinated](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi9ueXJlZ2lvbi9uZXcteW9yay12YWNjaW5lLW1hbmRhdGUtaG9zcGl0YWxzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) by Sept. 27, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. - Bill Lee, Tennessee’s Republican governor, signed an executive order letting parents opt out of [school mask mandates](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi91cy90ZW5uZXNzZWUtYmlsbC1sZWUtbWFzay1tYW5kYXRlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). - The Delta variant is overwhelming U.S. intensive care units. One in five I.C.U.s now has [almost every bed occupied](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMS8wOC8xNy91cy9jb3ZpZC1kZWx0YS1ob3NwaXRhbGl6YXRpb25zLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). - The prime minister of Malaysia, which is seeing its highest case counts of the pandemic, [resigned amid public anger](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi93b3JsZC9hc2lhL011aHlpZGRpbi1ZYXNzaW4tcmVzaWducy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMTA4MTcmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MzgwOTcmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTY2NDQ4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgphGjiTG2GoNQgGUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Other Big Stories Lake Mead, top left, and Boulder City, Nev., in July. Patrick T. Fallon/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images - The federal government [declared a water shortage](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TdaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi9jbGltYXRlL2NvbG9yYWRvLXJpdmVyLXdhdGVyLWN1dHMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) at Lake Mead, triggering supply cuts to Arizona farmers. - Grace, which made landfall in Haiti on Monday as a tropical depression, [restrengthened into a storm early today](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS90cm9waWNhbC1zdG9ybS1ncmFjZS1odXJyaWNhbmUuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). There’s a risk that mudslides and flooding could hamper earthquake recovery efforts. - Federal regulators are investigating the Autopilot system in Tesla’s electric cars after [a series of crashes](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi9idXNpbmVzcy90ZXNsYS1hdXRvcGlsb3Qtbmh0c2EuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). - California voters [began receiving mail ballots](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNy91cy9uZXdzb20tcmVjYWxsLWdvdmVybm9yLWVsZWN0aW9uLWNhbGlmb3JuaWEuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) for a Sept. 14 recall election that could oust Gov. Gavin Newsom. Recent polls of likely voters show a near tie. Opinions Raising the minimum wage can create jobs, Peter Coy writes. Sign up for [his new Opinion newsletter](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TVaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi9vcGluaW9uL21pbmltdW0td2FnZS1qb2JzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), exclusively for Times subscribers. MORNING READS The Aedes aegypti mosquito.Konstantin Nechaev/Alamy Buzz: What if you could become [invisible to mosquitoes](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNy9zY2llbmNlL2NyaXNwci1tb3NxdWl0by12aXNpb24uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)? Reflections: Why dancers keep showing up in front of an [empty building in Paris](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi9hcnRzL2RhbmNlL3BhcmlzLWtwb3AtZGFuY2Vycy1sYS1kZWZlbnNlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). A Times classic: [How to meditate](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0THaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ3VpZGVzL3dlbGwvaG93LXRvLW1lZGl0YXRlP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMTA4MTcmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MzgwOTcmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTY2NDQ4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgphGjiTG2GoNQgGUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). Lives Lived: Michael M. Thomas had three careers, as a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, an investment banker at Lehman Brothers and, finally, a writer. [He died at 85](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TVaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNS9ib29rcy9taWNoYWVsLXRob21hcy1kZWFkLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). ARTS AND IDEAS #BamaRush floods TikTok Last week, videos about sorority recruitment at the University of Alabama were all over TikTok. Many featured women in the middle of the process, also called “rushing,” as they documented their outfits. TikTok’s algorithm turned the videos into a phenomenon, inspiring parodies and a fandom. So far, the hashtag #bamarush has [more than 260 million views](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0S3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGlrdG9rLmNvbS90YWcvYmFtYXJ1c2g_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). As [Kalhan Rosenblatt wrote for NBC News](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P4QSAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5iY25ld3MuY29tL3BvcC1jdWx0dXJlL3BvcC1jdWx0dXJlLW5ld3MvdW5pdmVyc2l0eS1hbGFiYW1hLXNvcm9yaXR5LXJ1c2gtaGFzLXRha2VuLW92ZXItdGlrdG9rLXVzZXJzLWNhbi1uMTI3NjcyNT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), rush videos have done well before on social media platforms like YouTube. But TikTok’s “For You” page, in which the app determines which videos users see next, introduced the genre to an audience that hadn’t engaged with college Greek life before. What’s so transfixing about the videos is that they immerse people in an experience that’s likely to be unfamiliar. “You can follow an account and basically watch your own reality show,” one TikTok user told NBC News. “Southern sororities are so niche and so particular to a specific area in America, everyone finds it fascinating.” For more, Slate’s ICYMI podcast [has an episode dedicated to the topic.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TfaHR0cHM6Ly9zbGF0ZS5jb20vY3VsdHVyZS8yMDIxLzA4L2FsYWJhbWEtcnVzaC10aWt0b2stdmlkZW9zLWV4cGxhaW5lZC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTkmZW1jPWVkaXRfbm5fMjAyMTA4MTcmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MzgwOTcmbmw9dGhlLW1vcm5pbmcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTY2NDQ4JnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0QgphGjiTG2GoNQgGUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) — Sanam Yar, a Morning writer PLAY, WATCH, EAT What to Cook Meredith Heuer for The New York Times [Kuku paka is a rich Kenyan dish](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TeaHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAxODgwMi1rdWt1LXBha2EtY2hpY2tlbi13aXRoLWNvY29udXQ_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) of chicken in a spiced coconut sauce. Virtual Travel Patagonia’s snow-capped mountains and windswept lakes are often depicted in summertime. [See them in autumn.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi90cmF2ZWwvdG9ycmVzLWRlbC1wYWluZS1wYXRhZ29uaWEtYmFxdWVhbm9zLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) What to Read Michael J. Fox reviews “[I Live a Life like Yours](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNS9ib29rcy9yZXZpZXcvaS1saXZlLWEtbGlmZS1saWtlLXlvdXJzLWphbi1ncnVlLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~),” a thoughtful memoir by a Norwegian professor on the challenges of living with disability. Late Night Late-night hosts addressed [the news out of Afghanistan](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNy9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vc3RlcGhlbi1jb2xiZXJ0LXRhbGliYW4tYWZnaGFuaXN0YW4uaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). Now Time to Play The pangram(s) from yesterday’s Spelling Bee was logophile. Here is today’s puzzle — or you can [play online](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHV6emxlcy9zcGVsbGluZy1iZWU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Here’s [today’s Mini Crossword](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY3Jvc3N3b3Jkcy9nYW1lL21pbmk_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), and a clue: Japanese currency (three letters). If you’re in the mood to play more, find [all our games here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0SxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZ2FtZXM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. — David P.S. A [hidden haiku](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TMaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9ueXRoYWlrdXMvc3RhdHVzLzE0MjcwOTMwNTI0NDM4MjgyMjg_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) from a Times interview with [Jake Lacy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNS9hcnRzL3RlbGV2aXNpb24vamFrZS1sYWN5LXNheXMtYWxvaGEtdG8tdGhlLXdoaXRlLWxvdHVzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9OSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ubl8yMDIxMDgxNyZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0zODA5NyZubD10aGUtbW9ybmluZyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NjY0NDgmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCmEaOJMbYag1CAZSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) of HBO’s “The White Lotus”: “I feel like most of / these characters are pretty / unpalatable.” Here’s [today’s print front page](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TUaHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMwMS5ueXQuY29tL2ltYWdlcy8yMDIxLzA4LzE3L255dGZyb250cGFnZS9zY2FuLnBkZj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). “[Popcast](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wOC8xNi9hcnRzL211c2ljL3BvcGNhc3QtZGlwc2V0LWxveC12ZXJ6dXouaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)” is about New York hip-hop. Isabella Kwai, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Tom Wright-Piersanti and Sanam Yar contributed to The Morning. You can reach the team at themorning@nytimes.com. [Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRi_hg4P0TIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvbW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD05JmVtYz1lZGl0X25uXzIwMjEwODE3Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTM4MDk3Jm5sPXRoZS1tb3JuaW5nJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD02NjQ0OCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKYRo4kxthqDUIBlIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-0) Need help? 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