The issue driving teachers out of classrooms, a new space race and a symbolic end to U.S. war in Afghanistan

Monday, July 12, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     A symbolic end to the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan, the controversial debate driving educators out of schools and the start of a new space race.     Here's what we're watching this Monday morning. Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan stepping down, marking symbolic end to military mission The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Army Gen. Austin "Scott" Miller, is stepping down Monday, U.S. defense officials say. The move marks the symbolic end of the U.S. military mission in the country.   The Biden administration announced in April that all U.S. troops would withdraw from Afghanistan by Sept. 11.    But the U.S. withdrawal moved much faster; more than 90 percent of the U.S. personnel and equipment have already left the country.   The troop withdrawal is already having a negative impact on intelligence gathering in the country.    "My knowledge of what's going on in Afghanistan is not nearly what it was 180 days ago," Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, who is taking over command from Miller, told NBC News while traveling to Kabul on Sunday. Monday's top stories Growing animosity over critical race theory is leading to an exodus of educators By Tyler Kingkade | Read more Battles over diversity and equity initiatives in public schools have resulted in administrators and teachers being fired or resigning over conversations about racism. "This is going to cause an exodus among an already scarce recruiting field in education," said one Kentucky teacher.    Haiti police arrest third suspect with U.S. ties in president's assassination By Reuters | Read more Charles Emmanuel Sanon, a 63-year-old Florida-based doctor, is one of the suspected masterminds of the attack who hired mercenaries to oust the president, Haitian police said after his arrest Sunday.   'Experience of a lifetime': Richard Branson reaches space and ushers in a new era  By Denise Chow | Read more    Branson's successful suborbital jaunt beat out fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos, who is planning a similar feat on July 20, and set the stage for a new era of space tourism.  OPINION The question keeping Trump-loving men up at night: Why won't women date us? By Andi Zeisler | Read more   When a critical mass of people find your values regressive, your political beliefs inhumane, and your political hero repellent, it's not them, argues one feminist writer. It's you. China says it 'drove away' U.S. warship in South China Sea By Reuters | Read more    The move comes on the anniversary of an international court ruling that said China has no historic title over the body of water, a ruling that Beijing says it will ignore. BETTER 12 best summer foods to beat the bloat and boost hydration By Frances Largeman-Roth | Read more   These healthy foods can help protect your skin from the sun, keep you hydrated and the beat dreaded summer belly bloat. Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... California wildfire grows by 20,000 acres, destroys 20 homes Thousands of protesters take to the streets in Cuba Death toll rises to 90 in Miami Beach-area condo building collapse Triumph for Italy, tears for England as Euro 2020 soccer final ends in 3-2 penalty shootout Mexican politician arrested in Basquiat, Haring art forgery case in New York Summer blockbusters are back: 'Black Widow' sets pandemic record with $80 million in theaters, $60 million streaming SHOPPING Leave-in hair conditioners: Should you do it? Top tips from hair experts on which ones to use.  One fun thing The glitz and glam of the Cannes Film Festival in the French Riviera may feel a million miles away.   But here's a look at some of the best films to emerge from the big fete that may find their way to a living room — or actual movie theater — near you soon.      Read the story here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser