The rental aid has reached almost a million households, and the speed of dispersion increased from June to July, according to recent data. However, concerns were raised that many could face evictions as they await assistance, and the Supreme Court ponders a challenge to the federal eviction moratorium. Lawmakers authorized $46.5 billion to allocate toward federal rental assistance earlier in 2021, the Associated Press reported. Of those funds, $5.1 billion were distributed through July, an increase from the $3 billion delivered through June and the $1....

But they’re solving them in very different ways. In Russia, politics is a free-for-all, with Yeltsin’s supporters and foes (grouped around Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoi) accusing each other of massive corruption and dictatorial aspirations. There are no generally accepted rules, no consensus on who should have what powers and no stability in the country’s basic political institutions. Poland is faring much better. As chaotic as Polish politics can be, people play by the new rules of the game....

Groups such as the Human Rights Watch have asked performers to boycott Saudi Arabia due to the kingdom’s retaliation against those who oppose it. According to the Associated Press, they said events like the Bieber concert are ways to divert attention from human rights violations. One of the ways Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has worked to “modernize” Saudi society is by allowing concerts like this to take place. Bieber took the stage to mark the end of Saudi Arabia’s first Formula One Grand Prix....

What truly illustrated that was the way Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak plopped down on the visiting clubhouse couch with an an audible, breathy sigh. Less than 24 hours after being named an All-Star for the first time in his career, Smoak enjoyed the few minutes of rest, sending out some texts and catching another baseball game on a clubhouse TV before heading back out onto the field for batting practice....

As part of a press conference, video of which was shared on Twitter by 11 Alive Atlanta, Thomas revealed that he was “sick to [his] stomach” when thinking about Woods’ car crash. “It hurts to see one of your—I mean, now one of my closest friends—get in an accident. I just hope he’s alright,” Thomas said. In his brief remarks, Thomas also called Woods one of his “closest friends” and sent well wishes to Woods’ two children, Charlie and Sam....

The two-time major winner started the day 1 over par and six shots off co-leaders Collin Morikawa and Joel Dahmen; he lost another shot on Hole 4 and was none too pleased United States Golf Association officials didn’t allow him a relief drop after his ball landed inches within a fairway drain. MORE: U.S. Open live golf scores, results, highlights from Saturday’s Round 3 Thomas gave a truly fantastic on-air quote as part of his profanity-laden rant after the miss....

With the Ghanaian’s current contract set to run out at the end of the season, reports say the Italian giants are weighing up a renewal offer as they face losing the 28-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the campaign. The news has taken many by surprise considering the fact that the Black Star came close to sealing a move to Turkey in the summer. With Fenerbahce also interested, Asamoah reportedly agreed personal terms with Galatasaray but Juve’s inability to find a replacement scuppered the deal....

The left-back has been linked with a January move to Valencia and former club Manchester United, having fallen firmly behind Alex Sandro in the pecking order this season. Valencia interested in Evra That the Brazil international is missing for Sunday’s Serie A fixture with Genoa due to a thigh strain and Evra remains unused by Massimiliano Allegri appears to give a sizable clue to the Frenchman’s long-term prospects in Turin....

American Kathryn Mayorga has accused Ronaldo of sexually assaulting her in a hotel in Las Vegas in 2009, something the Portuguese has strenuously refuted. German publication Der Spiegel first reported the claims, which also included the suggestion Ronaldo paid Ms Mayorga $375,000 in 2010 as part of a privacy agreement, preventing her from going public with the allegations. Ms Mayorga filed a lawsuit in an attempt to quash that agreement while Las Vegas police have re-opened an investigation....

The Italian champions started their quest for a 10th consecutive title with a 3-0 victory against Sampdoria at Allianz Stadium in Pirlo’s first competitive match in charge of the club. New signing Dejan Kulusevski scored on his debut in the 13th minute before veterans Leonardo Bonucci and Ronaldo rounded out the victory in the second half. MORE: Sign up for ESPN+ to stream Serie A live all season When Pirlo was asked how he plans to use Ronaldo — who famously does not like to be on the bench — this season, Pirlo revealed the 35-year-old would be rested at select points during the campaign....

Allegri has reportedly emerged as the front-runner to replace Arsene Wenger in the summer, should the Frenchman no longer be in charge at Emirates Stadium. Higuain on target again for Juve Wenger’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and some fans have been left disgruntled at a failure to regularly mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title. Chelsea defeated to Gunners 3-1 on Saturday to deliver a huge blow to any lingering hopes of catching the Blues at the top of the table, with one fan even displaying a ‘Wenger Out’ banner....

McDaniels hustles, he’s scrappy, and he’s eager to learn. The rookie out of Clemson shows potential in every game. Saturday against the Jazz, McDaniels chased down a fast break and prevented Dante Exum from getting the dunk (and perhaps ever trying again). This is the kind of effort that can’t be taught. MORE: All-time NBA leading scorers | Kobe gets back at heckler | Kevin Garnett blows on David West...

RéAnna Simone Kelly, daughter of Simone’s daughter Lisa Simone Kelly, had taken to Twitter on Friday to defend Chloe Bailey’s racy version of the singer’s iconic civil rights anthem “Feeling Good.” “Everyone’s coming at @ChloeBailey for her performance… But what y’all don’t understand is that grandma was a free-spirited woman herself,” RéAnna tweeted. “She would’ve loved that performance as much as I do! Relax. Chloe killed it.” Later, Kelly responded to a Twitter user who asked why Simone’s estate would create a Twitter account for Simone, who died several years before the social media platform launched....

During an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Harris told correspondent Dana Bash both federal officials “are spending full time in a different reality,” given the known disparities between law enforcement’s conduct toward white people and people of color. “The reality of America today is what we have seen over generations, and frankly, since our inception, which is we do have two systems of justice,” said the California senator and former state attorney general....

Harris was asked whether she would take a vaccine if one were approved by the Trump administration, during her head-to-head with Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday. “If the public health professionals, if Dr. Fauci, if the doctors tell us we should take it, I’ll be the first in line to take it, absolutely,” she said. “But if Donald Trump tells us we should take it, I’m not taking it....

“I voted against his confirmation because it was clear to me he lied under oath, and I think we all know he did,” Harris said on NPR’s Morning Edition. “We can look at a number of aspects and components of his testimony, including the testimony about his yearbook and what it contained and what it meant, the testimony about his drinking, the testimony about his involvement in the anti-Roe judicial nomination when he was in the White House....

In fact, these first debates will be remembered for the incredibly weak performance of Joe Biden, the weak performance of Bernie Sanders, the competent performance of Elizabeth Warren, and the standout performance by Kamala Harris. For the first time, it looks like the finalists in the struggle for the Democratic nomination for president may be two senators—one from each coast. If this is the case, the choice may come down to Warren’s icy intelligence versus Harris’s passionate crowd pleasing....

Mokotjo acquired the Dutch citizenship in December last year, and according to the Home Affairs, the player lost his SA citizenship and therefore is ineligible to represent Bafana Bafana. The 26-year-old midfielder was advised to write a motivation letter to Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba and request to resume his SA citizenship. In a statement released by the Department of Home Affairs, Minister Gigaba may allow Mokotjo to resume his SA citizenship provided he’s satisfied with all the facts presented before him by the FC Twente midfielder....

Cantona: Ibrahimovic is like me! Kane scored three times in the first half, and also created the fourth for Dele Alli, to kill the game before half-time and lift Spurs to second in the Premier League table. Spurs boss Pochettino was glowing in his praise of England striker Kane, who now has scored 22 goals in all competitions this term. “[Kane] is playing at a very good level,” the Tottenham boss told BBC Sport....