US lifts travel restrictions for vaccinated tourists

The U.S. lifted its travel ban Monday, making tourism possible for millions of fully vaccinated foreign nationals. This applies to both international air travel and land travel. The ban prevented travel from dozens of countries – including most European Union member states, the U.K. and China – since early 2020. Meanwhile, travelers from countries not part of the ban face more stringent requirements with a new vaccine mandate. Air travelers will need to provide proof of vaccination status to fly to the U.S. They will also need to show a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days ahead of boarding, per a White House official.

• From vaccines to testing: What travelers need to know
• How COVID-19 travel restrictions have impacted families and couples
• ‘A huge sigh of relief’: Tourist businesses cheer the return of international travelers after 600 days

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Criminal investigation continues after eight deaths at Astroworld Festival

Authorities on Monday are continuing their criminal investigation into Houston’s Astroworld music festival that left at least eight people dead and “scores” injured. Thousands of concertgoers on Friday rushed to the stage in what officials described as a crowd surge during a performance by rapper Travis Scott, the festival headliner, overwhelming security and creating a chaotic nightmare. While speaking on CNN Sunday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the investigation “will take weeks, if not longer.” Around 50,000 people were in attendance at the festival. The victims who died ranged in age from 14 to 27. Twenty-five people were taken to a hospital, including a 10-year-old in critical condition, officials said. The Harris County Medical Examiner is expected to release on Monday the names of all the victims killed.  

• ‘They were not breathing’: Astroworld survivors recount bodies trampled, overwhelmed security
• Astroworld Festival victims: Teens, college students and at least one aspiring model

Many businesses in Los Angeles to require proof of vaccine 

Proof of vaccination will be required to enter a slew of businesses in the city of Los Angeles starting Monday under one of the nation’s strongest vaccine mandates. Indoor restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, malls, salons and most city buildings will require – in addition to photo ID – a CDC vaccination card, a scan or photograph of the card on a mobile device, or a digital vaccination record issued by the state, city or healthcare provider. Patrons who claim a medical or religious reason for not getting vaccinated can provide a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours. Venues that fail to adhere to the ordinance can face fines starting Nov. 29.

• Vaccine mandate: Over half of employees would report coworker for violating mandates
• ‘Government propaganda?’: Big Bird gets vaccinated; Ted Cruz bristles

Astronauts hoping for splashdown after 6 months in space

NASA and SpaceX are working to return a crew from the International Space Station on Monday. If schedules hold and weather conditions look favorable, SpaceX Crew-2 astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, Akihiko Hoshide and Thomas Pesquet will board their Crew Dragon capsule in orbit and depart the ISS at 2:05 p.m. ET Monday. Splashdown off the coast of Florida is expected at 10:33 p.m. ET. Their mission launched in April and was scheduled to last six months, but the team is now working overtime. The next group of space station astronauts, Crew-3, are prepping for launch at 9:03 p.m. on Wednesday.

• Sexism in space industry: Cutting-edge industry has old problems
• Price tag of space mission: What would it cost you to go like William Shatner?

Milwaukee Bucks headed to the White House

The Milwaukee Bucks will visit the White House on Monday to celebrate their NBA championship, the first title for the franchise in 50 years. The Bucks won the title by beating the Phoenix Suns in six games in the NBA Finals, concluding with a Game 6 victory in Milwaukee on July 20 when Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 50 points. Milwaukee will be the first NBA champion to visit the White House since 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers visited former President Barack Obama. The Bucks will make the visit on their day off, following a 101-94 loss to the Washington Wizards Sunday. 

• Giannis Antetokounmpo shares video of him practicing meeting President Joe Biden ahead of Bucks’ White House visit
• NBA encouraged by elimination of non-basketball moves, but some stars are crying foul