| |  |  | The Reuters Daily Briefing | Thursday, September 2, 2021 by Linda Noakes | Hello Here's what you need to know. The U.S. Supreme Court declines to block the Texas abortion ban, the Taliban prepare to reveal a new Afghan government, and read our special report on the Chinese tycoon driving Volvo's plans to tackle Tesla | | | | | Today's biggest stories  A bus navigates past abandoned cars on a flooded highway in the Queens borough of New York City, September 2, 2021 U.S. The governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency as record-breaking rains from tropical storm Ida led to flooding and hazardous conditions on the roads, with media reporting at least nine deaths.
Shattered communities across southern Louisiana are still assessing storm damage from Ida as floodwaters have yet to recede in many places four days after the hurricane knocked out power to a million homes and businesses.
South Lake Tahoe stood smoke-filled and largely deserted after crews fought back a huge, wind-driven wildfire, leaving the California resort town unscathed as flames crept on toward Nevada.
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to block a Texas ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, dealing a major blow to abortion rights by leaving in place a state law that prohibits the vast majority of abortions.
Three Colorado police officers and two paramedics have been criminally charged in the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man who died in 2019 after he was subdued and injected with a sedative.
|  Taliban soldiers pose for a photo in Kabul, Afghanistan, September 1, 2021 WORLD Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are preparing to unveil their new government as the economy teeters on the edge of collapse more than two weeks after the Islamist militia captured Kabul and brought a chaotic end to 20 years of war. We look at what leverage the U.S. and its allies have over the Taliban.
The Kremlin said that U.S. military assistance to Ukraine could make Kyiv behave unpredictably and dangerously in the conflict in its east, and expressed regret at a U.S.-Ukrainian friendship it said was motivated by opposition to Russia.
China told broadcasters to shun artists with "incorrect political positions" and "effeminate" styles, and said a patriotic atmosphere needed to be cultivated, as part of a wider crackdown on its booming entertainment industry.
Often seen at the wheel of one of his supercars, Thai ultra-royalist Tanat "Nat" Thanakitamnuay became a well-known face at demonstrations that ushered in Thailand's 2014 coup. Now he is back on the streets demanding the removal of coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister and reforms to the monarchy - a change of heart that points to the broadening of Thailand's latest anti-government movement.
| BUSINESS Record-high world stocks slowed their charge as concerns grew over the Chinese economy after a run of soft data, while the risk of a sub-par U.S. payrolls report kept the dollar on the defensive.
Apple further loosened App Store rules, allowing some content companies like Netflix to provide links to their websites so customers can sign up for paid accounts. Meanwhile, Apple is facing an antitrust challenge in India for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the apps market by forcing developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system, according to a source and documents seen by Reuters.
Ireland hit Facebook's WhatsApp with a record $266 million fine following an inquiry into the messaging app's transparency around sharing personal data with other Facebook companies.
Li Shufu’s company is one of the biggest-selling automakers in the world's biggest auto market. It controls Volvo Cars and a clutch of global auto brands, plus a significant stake in the maker of Mercedes-Benz. These names are key to his plans for a revolution in autos -- a vision more Silicon Valley than Detroit.
| | | | | | | | | Video of the day  How a robot’s gaze can put humans off It's long been known that making eye contact with a robot can be an unsettling experience. Now, thanks to researchers in Italy, we also know it's more than just a feeling. | | | Thanks for spending part of your day with us. | | | | | |
