On September 11, US will withdraw all of its remaining troops from Afghanistan. But with the Taliban still on the offensive, does this withdrawal amount to surrender? Is US handing over Afghanistan to Islamabad on a platter? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: US to withdraw from Afghanistan on Sept 11

American CEOs took home $13.7 million in salaries despite a pandemic-driven economic slump. How did the corporate world beat the worst economic crisis since World War II? WION's Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Fat pay cheques, massive profits in a pandemic year

The Minneapolis cop who shot Daunte Wright has said that she mistook her gun for her taser. How plausible is this version of events? What does it say about police training in the U.S.? WION's Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: US cop 'mistook' gun for teaser

US President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw all the remaining American troops from Afghanistan by the September 11. The United States will not be meeting the original deadline of May 1 which was set by the Trump administration.

Biden to pull out all US troops from Afghanistan by September 11

With 3 conflicts looming in 3 different parts of the world, America's global leadership is being put to the test. To overcome these conflicts, Joe Biden will need allies. But Washington's recent adventurism near Lakshadweep sends mixed signals. WION's Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: US needs to reboot alliance politics

16 kilometres away from where George Floyd was killed, another Black-American has been shot dead for a 'traffic violation'. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how America's virus of racism is yet to be eradicated.

Gravitas: Black-American killed by cops in Minnesota

US President Joe Biden's administration has unveiled initial actions to address the increasing gun violence within the nation. The US government has come up with six initial actions to curb gun violence and Biden announced moves that are designed to revamp the federal gun policy.

US President Joe Biden introduces limited gun control measures

The United States climate envoy John Kerry will hold talks with Indian leaders during an Asian tour starting on Thursday in an effort to narrow differences on climate change goals to slow global warming.

US climate envoy heads to India to lift 'climate ambition'

After announcing a new $2 trillion infrastructure plan US President Joe Biden on Thursday signed five Cabinet secretaries to serve as his messengers in working with Congress and engaging with the public on the administration's infrastructure proposal.

US: Joe Biden assigns 5 secretaries to new 'job cabinet'

After being shut down for nearly a year, several entertainment venues are reopening in the US, including local favourite Six Flags amusement parks.

Amusement parks reopen amid COVID surge in US

The Pentagon announced new policies that undo the Trump-era rules that effectively banned transgender people from serving in the military.

Pentagon releases new policies, allowing transgender people to serve in military

10 months ago, a death in America led to worldwide outrage. 46-year-old George Floyd died in police custody. A police officer knelt on his neck for close to 10 minutes. The death of George Floyd led to the birth of a movement. These pictures went viral. &nbsp; &nbsp;

CCTV cameras and police bodycams captured the events leading up to Floyd's death. The fatal arrest was a clear case of excessive use of police force. It also highlighted a pattern of systemic racism in the US. &nbsp;

Racial profiling, excessive violence, police brutality and the virus of racism, this too is a pandemic and America is in denial. It sees the problem in others. &nbsp;

The US state department is set to release a report on human rights. Washington will sit in judgement of nearly 200 countries and their human rights record but what about America's own human rights record? &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-has-us-failed-to-fight-racism-374371">Watch |</a>

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-has-us-failed-to-fight-racism-374371/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

10 months after the killing of George Floyd. The virus of racism is alive and thriving in America. It is targeting not just African Americans but even Asian Americans. &nbsp;

The US, the self-appointed champion of human rights, has failed to secure the most basic rights of its own people. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On Monday, the officer accused for the murder of George Floyd went on trial. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin faces three charges, second degree murder, third degree murder and manslaughter.&nbsp;

On the 25th of May last year, he was the cop, who arrested George Floyd. Floyd had allegedly tried passing a counterfeit 20 dollar bill at a grocery store. Chauvin was among a group of four cops responding to the police call. They found Floyd inside a car across the grocery store. &nbsp;

First, the police officers pulled him out. Floyd was handcuffed, forced to face down on the street while Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd's neck.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-black-americans-get-justice-374377">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-black-americans-get-justice-374377/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

That stomach churning moment was captured by bystanders. On Monday, the jury was shown that video. "I can't breathe". Those words led to a global campaign against racism. &nbsp;

The United States saw violent protests across 50 states. Since then, the country has witnessed a change of guard, a new president, a new government but racism in America has only got worse. &nbsp;

In recent weeks and months, Asian Americans have come under attack. Consider these numbers, hate crimes against Asian Americans surged 149 per cent. An advocacy group received more than 2,800 reports of hate crimes. In all of these incidents, Asian Americans were the target. &nbsp;

This month, three day-spas in Georgia were attacked. Eight people died in the shootings. Six of the victims were women of Asian descent. It's quite evident. This attacker was motivated by race. &nbsp;

After African Americans last year, Asian Americans took to the streets this month. They too are demanding equal rights and amid the raging debate, one lawmaker decided to make a statement. &nbsp;

This is Lee Wong, an elected official in Ohio. At the meeting of the trustees in West Chester township, Wong decided to make a statement against the rising hate. &nbsp;

Lee Wong is a war veteran. He got up, took off his shirt to reveal the scars of war he endured for America. Lee Wong, West Chester Township trustee, said, "For too long, I have put up with a lot of s*** in silence. Excuse me the language. Too afraid to speak out, fearing more abuse and discrimination." &nbsp;

"There are some ignorant people that will come up to me and say that I don't look American - or patriotic enough. Now that really gets my goat." &nbsp;

"People questioning my patriotism? that I don't look American enough? They could not get over this face. I want to show you something. I want to tell you, because I'm not afraid." &nbsp;

"I'm 69-years-old, and I'm going to show you what patriotism - the questions about patriotism - looks like." &nbsp;

"Here is my proof. (lifts up shirt to reveal scar) This is sustained through my service in the US military. now, is this patriot enough? I'm not ashamed to walk around anymore." &nbsp;

Lee Wong moved from China to the United States more than 50 years ago. He spent two decades in the army. He serves his community as a trustee. Even after serving Americans all these years, he has to prove his loyalty to America. The divide became deeper after the insurrection at the US Capitol. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Here is yet another example. Violence broke out near the Oregon state Capitol building. Two groups on opposite ends of the political spectrum came face to face. One was the far-right group called Proud Boys and the second was the far-left, anti-fascists. They clashed. One of them tried to run his car into a protester. The police looked helpless. &nbsp;

African Americans demanding justice for police brutality, Asian Americans being targeted in hate crimes, political opponents engaged in violent clashes. This is the America that human rights reports hardly talk about.&nbsp;

10 months ago, a death in America led to worldwide outrage. 46-year-old George Floyd died in police custody. A police officer knelt on his neck for close to 10 minutes.

10 months ago, a death in America led to worldwide outrage. 46-year-old George Floyd died in police custody. A police officer knelt on his neck for close to 10 minutes. The death of George Floyd led to the birth of a movement. These pictures went viral. CCTV cameras and police bodycams captured the events leading up to Floyd's death. The fatal arrest was a clear case of excessive use of police force. It also highlighted a pattern of systemic racism in the US. Racial profiling, excessive violence, police brutality and the virus of racism, this too is a pandemic and America is in denial. It sees the problem in others. The US state department is set to release a report on human rights. Washington will sit in judgement of nearly 200 countries and their human rights record but what about America's own human rights record? Watch | 10 months after the killing of George Floyd. The virus of racism is alive and thriving in America. It is targeting not just African Americans but even Asian Americans. The US, the self-appointed champion of human rights, has failed to secure the most basic rights of its own people. On Monday, the officer accused for the murder of George Floyd went on trial. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin faces three charges, second degree murder, third degree murder and manslaughter. On the 25th of May last year, he was the cop, who arrested George Floyd. Floyd had allegedly tried passing a counterfeit 20 dollar bill at a grocery store. Chauvin was among a group of four cops responding to the police call. They found Floyd inside a car across the grocery store. First, the police officers pulled him out. Floyd was handcuffed, forced to face down on the street while Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd's neck. Watch | That stomach churning moment was captured by bystanders. On Monday, the jury was shown that video. "I can't breathe". Those words led to a global campaign against racism. The United States saw violent protests across 50 states. Since then, the country has witnessed a change of guard, a new president, a new government but racism in America has only got worse. In recent weeks and months, Asian Americans have come under attack. Consider these numbers, hate crimes against Asian Americans surged 149 per cent. An advocacy group received more than 2,800 reports of hate crimes. In all of these incidents, Asian Americans were the target. This month, three day-spas in Georgia were attacked. Eight people died in the shootings. Six of the victims were women of Asian descent. It's quite evident. This attacker was motivated by race. After African Americans last year, Asian Americans took to the streets this month. They too are demanding equal rights and amid the raging debate, one lawmaker decided to make a statement. This is Lee Wong, an elected official in Ohio. At the meeting of the trustees in West Chester township, Wong decided to make a statement against the rising hate. Lee Wong is a war veteran. He got up, took off his shirt to reveal the scars of war he endured for America. Lee Wong, West Chester Township trustee, said, "For too long, I have put up with a lot of s*** in silence. Excuse me the language. Too afraid to speak out, fearing more abuse and discrimination." "There are some ignorant people that will come up to me and say that I don't look American - or patriotic enough. Now that really gets my goat." "People questioning my patriotism? that I don't look American enough? They could not get over this face. I want to show you something. I want to tell you, because I'm not afraid." "I'm 69-years-old, and I'm going to show you what patriotism - the questions about patriotism - looks like." "Here is my proof. (lifts up shirt to reveal scar) This is sustained through my service in the US military. now, is this patriot enough? I'm not ashamed to walk around anymore." Lee Wong moved from China to the United States more than 50 years ago. He spent two decades in the army. He serves his community as a trustee. Even after serving Americans all these years, he has to prove his loyalty to America. The divide became deeper after the insurrection at the US Capitol. Here is yet another example. Violence broke out near the Oregon state Capitol building. Two groups on opposite ends of the political spectrum came face to face. One was the far-right group called Proud Boys and the second was the far-left, anti-fascists. They clashed. One of them tried to run his car into a protester. The police looked helpless. African Americans demanding justice for police brutality, Asian Americans being targeted in hate crimes, political opponents engaged in violent clashes. This is the America that human rights reports hardly talk about.

Is America's human rights record declining? 

Rayshard Brooks,&nbsp;Daniel Prude,&nbsp;Breonna&nbsp;Taylor,&nbsp;Atatiana&nbsp;Jefferson,&nbsp;Aura&nbsp;Rosser,&nbsp;Stephon&nbsp;Clark,&nbsp;Botham&nbsp;Jean,&nbsp;Philando&nbsp;Castille,&nbsp;Alton&nbsp;Sterling,&nbsp;Freddie&nbsp;Gray&nbsp;are just a few individuals&nbsp;killed by the&nbsp;American&nbsp;police in the last 7 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are many more&nbsp;Black Americans,&nbsp;who were either shot,&nbsp;tasered,&nbsp;brutally mauled&nbsp;or asphyxiated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

What they call,&nbsp;choked to death&nbsp;but none of these killings were enough&nbsp;to shake the collective conscience of the American society&nbsp;or the American judicial system&nbsp;for that matter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It took a convergence of forces for America to wake up,&nbsp;a pandemic,&nbsp;an election year,&nbsp;the highest rate of unemployment&nbsp;and to top it all,&nbsp;the killing of&nbsp;George&nbsp;Floyd&nbsp;in broad daylight.&nbsp;&nbsp;

With every city under lockdown,&nbsp;Americans couldn't look away.&nbsp;They were forced to pay attention.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-mozambique-the-latest-outpost-of-islamic-state-374372">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-mozambique-the-latest-outpost-of-islamic-state-374372/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

George Floyd's killing became a rallying point for racial justice in the United States&nbsp;as the trial in the case officially begins.&nbsp;America is on the edge once again.&nbsp;Every American, irrespective of their&nbsp;colour&nbsp;or background&nbsp;is watching the developments closely&nbsp;because this is far more than the trial of one police officer in the death of one Black&nbsp;American.&nbsp;This is a test of the American society&nbsp;and of the&nbsp;American&nbsp;judicial system.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If they fail this test,&nbsp;the implications will be national.&nbsp;Perhaps even global.&nbsp;America is on trial.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton said, "Make no mistake about it: Chauvin is in the courtroom but&nbsp;America&nbsp;is on trial."&nbsp;

The judicial system is on test.&nbsp;Martin Luther King III, Martin Luther King Jr's son,&nbsp;"This is, this is a test for America, American justice, I believe, because people are beyond fed up.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Derek Chauvin,&nbsp;the officer accused in the murder of George Floyd has been finally put on trial.&nbsp;The case is significant&nbsp;because it is quite uncommon for US police officers to be&nbsp;penalised&nbsp;for using lethal force.&nbsp;

The court proceedings have begun,&nbsp;the opening remarks have been made.&nbsp;The arguments from both sides- reveal just how divided&nbsp;America&nbsp;has become as a society.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eric Nelson, Derek Chauvin's Defense Attorney, said,&nbsp;"Derek Chauvin did exactly what he had been trained to do over the course of his 19-year career. The use of force is not attractive, but it is a necessary component of policing."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jerry Blackwell, an attorney for the prosecution, said,&nbsp;"You will learn that he [Derek Chauvin] was well aware that Mr. Floyd was unarmed, that Mr. Floyd had not threatened anyone, that Mr. Floyd was in handcuffs, that he was completely in control of the police, he was defenseless.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eric Nelson, Derek Chauvin's Defense Attorney, said, "The evidence will show that Mr. Floyd died of a Cardiac Arrhythmia that occurred as a result of hypertension, coronary disease, the ingestion of methamphetamine and fentanyl."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jerry Blackwell, Prosecutor, said, "He did not die from an opioid overdose. Why? Because you'll be able to look at the video footage and you see he looks absolutely nothing like a person,&nbsp;who would die from an opioid overdose."&nbsp;&nbsp;

This is the most high-profile case since the 1991 beating of Rodney King Junior.&nbsp;The trial ended with partial justice being delivered.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

All efforts have been made to ensure that this one does not end in a mistrial.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A total of 12 people&nbsp;are&nbsp;sitting on the jury&nbsp;with three alternates.&nbsp;There are six women&nbsp;and nine men.&nbsp;9 of them are white&nbsp;Americans,&nbsp;4 of them are black&nbsp;Americans&nbsp;and 2 jurors are multi-racial.&nbsp;The diversity of the jury&nbsp;is aimed at instilling a sense of legitimacy in the judicial process.&nbsp;

Amy&nbsp;Forliti, AP Reporter, Minneapolis,&nbsp;said, "Their ages range from their 20s to their 60s, and they include a chemist, an auditor, a social worker, a registered nurse who works with covid-19 patients and a grandmother who does volunteer work. The one thing that they all do have in common, though, is that they all said they could put aside their prior opinions and make a decision based on the evidence in the case that's going to be presented at trial."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Outside the court,&nbsp;sentiments are running high.&nbsp;Americans from all backgrounds&nbsp;have assembled near the&nbsp;Minneapolis&nbsp;Courthouse.&nbsp;They say the verdict will serve as justice for all of America.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Luke Arseneau, paraprofessional at a school,&nbsp;said,&nbsp;"I can tell you right now that opioids did not kill George Floyd. Derek Chauvin did."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chaz Neal, business owner&nbsp;said, "This is a trial for, for justice for George Floyd, but the results are going to be affected everywhere."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sabrina Mohammed, student from Minneapolis, said, "I’m honestly just trying to take in as much of the case as&nbsp;I&nbsp;can without getting overwhelmed, because my mental health is deteriorating, unfortunately, as a black, as a black woman in the United States. So&nbsp;I’m&nbsp;just trying to protect myself as well."&nbsp;&nbsp;

1100 miles away from the heart of action&nbsp;in Washington DC,&nbsp;all the developments are being monitored.&nbsp;The White House&nbsp;says&nbsp;US president Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;will be following the trial closely.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary&nbsp;said, "Well, he certainly will be watching closely, as&nbsp;Americans&nbsp;across the country will be watching. you know at the time of George Floyd's death, he talked about this as being an event that really opened up a wound in the American public, and it really brought to light for a lot of people in this country just the kind of racial injustice and inequality that many communities are experiencing every single day."&nbsp;

It's a moment of reckoning for the American society.&nbsp;A chance for the American justice system to prove it can actually work.&nbsp;Because for decades,&nbsp;it has failed black&nbsp;Americans,&nbsp;who have suffered due to police brutality.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The trial of Derek Chauvin is an opportunity for this system to redeem itself.&nbsp;The outcome is anything but certain&nbsp;and the stakes for the entire country are enormous.&nbsp;

Rayshard Brooks, Daniel Prude, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Aura Rosser, Stephon Clark, Botham Jean, Philando Castille, Alton Sterling, Freddie Gray are just a few individuals killed by the American police in the last 7 years.

Rayshard Brooks, Daniel Prude, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Aura Rosser, Stephon Clark, Botham Jean, Philando Castille, Alton Sterling, Freddie Gray are just a few individuals killed by the American police in the last 7 years. There are many more Black Americans, who were either shot, tasered, brutally mauled or asphyxiated. What they call, choked to death but none of these killings were enough to shake the collective conscience of the American society or the American judicial system for that matter. It took a convergence of forces for America to wake up, a pandemic, an election year, the highest rate of unemployment and to top it all, the killing of George Floyd in broad daylight. With every city under lockdown, Americans couldn't look away. They were forced to pay attention. Watch | George Floyd's killing became a rallying point for racial justice in the United States as the trial in the case officially begins. America is on the edge once again. Every American, irrespective of their colour or background is watching the developments closely because this is far more than the trial of one police officer in the death of one Black American. This is a test of the American society and of the American judicial system. If they fail this test, the implications will be national. Perhaps even global. America is on trial. Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton said, "Make no mistake about it: Chauvin is in the courtroom but America is on trial." The judicial system is on test. Martin Luther King III, Martin Luther King Jr's son, "This is, this is a test for America, American justice, I believe, because people are beyond fed up. Derek Chauvin, the officer accused in the murder of George Floyd has been finally put on trial. The case is significant because it is quite uncommon for US police officers to be penalised for using lethal force. The court proceedings have begun, the opening remarks have been made. The arguments from both sides- reveal just how divided America has become as a society. Eric Nelson, Derek Chauvin's Defense Attorney, said, "Derek Chauvin did exactly what he had been trained to do over the course of his 19-year career. The use of force is not attractive, but it is a necessary component of policing." Jerry Blackwell, an attorney for the prosecution, said, "You will learn that he [Derek Chauvin] was well aware that Mr. Floyd was unarmed, that Mr. Floyd had not threatened anyone, that Mr. Floyd was in handcuffs, that he was completely in control of the police, he was defenseless. Eric Nelson, Derek Chauvin's Defense Attorney, said, "The evidence will show that Mr. Floyd died of a Cardiac Arrhythmia that occurred as a result of hypertension, coronary disease, the ingestion of methamphetamine and fentanyl." Jerry Blackwell, Prosecutor, said, "He did not die from an opioid overdose. Why? Because you'll be able to look at the video footage and you see he looks absolutely nothing like a person, who would die from an opioid overdose." This is the most high-profile case since the 1991 beating of Rodney King Junior. The trial ended with partial justice being delivered. All efforts have been made to ensure that this one does not end in a mistrial. A total of 12 people are sitting on the jury with three alternates. There are six women and nine men. 9 of them are white Americans, 4 of them are black Americans and 2 jurors are multi-racial. The diversity of the jury is aimed at instilling a sense of legitimacy in the judicial process. Amy Forliti, AP Reporter, Minneapolis, said, "Their ages range from their 20s to their 60s, and they include a chemist, an auditor, a social worker, a registered nurse who works with covid-19 patients and a grandmother who does volunteer work. The one thing that they all do have in common, though, is that they all said they could put aside their prior opinions and make a decision based on the evidence in the case that's going to be presented at trial." Outside the court, sentiments are running high. Americans from all backgrounds have assembled near the Minneapolis Courthouse. They say the verdict will serve as justice for all of America. Luke Arseneau, paraprofessional at a school, said, "I can tell you right now that opioids did not kill George Floyd. Derek Chauvin did." Chaz Neal, business owner said, "This is a trial for, for justice for George Floyd, but the results are going to be affected everywhere." Sabrina Mohammed, student from Minneapolis, said, "I’m honestly just trying to take in as much of the case as I can without getting overwhelmed, because my mental health is deteriorating, unfortunately, as a black, as a black woman in the United States. So I’m just trying to protect myself as well." 1100 miles away from the heart of action in Washington DC, all the developments are being monitored. The White House says US president Joe Biden will be following the trial closely. Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary said, "Well, he certainly will be watching closely, as Americans across the country will be watching. you know at the time of George Floyd's death, he talked about this as being an event that really opened up a wound in the American public, and it really brought to light for a lot of people in this country just the kind of racial injustice and inequality that many communities are experiencing every single day." It's a moment of reckoning for the American society. A chance for the American justice system to prove it can actually work. Because for decades, it has failed black Americans, who have suffered due to police brutality. The trial of Derek Chauvin is an opportunity for this system to redeem itself. The outcome is anything but certain and the stakes for the entire country are enormous.

On the edge again, America watches developments closely 

US President Joe Biden has touted the progress of the US vaccination campaign against COVID-19. But at the same time, Biden has also warned Americans not to let their guard down and risk a setback in the vaccination program.

President Biden unveils plans for US vaccination expansion

Asian-Americans continue to protest across the US against racism after a shooting in Atlanta which claimed the lives of eight people including six women of Asian descent.

WION Fineprint: Asian-Americans hit the streets against racism across US

Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin wrapped up his Asia tour with a surprise visit to Afghanistan. It comes merely weeks ahead of the deadline for the American troops to withdraw from the country.

Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin meets Afghan President

4 leaders, 4 democracies & 1 platform. The Quad has been revived but can it go beyond words? On Gravitas Plus, Palki Sharma Upadhyay decodes the past, present & future of this grouping.

Gravitas Plus: The Quad: Past, Present & Future

U.S.-Russia ties reached a new low after Joe Biden called Vladimir Putin a killer. The Russian leader replied saying 'it takes one to know one'. Does this rule out any hope of reconciliation? Can the two leaders move beyond their 'killer' remarks? WION's Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Joe Biden calls Vladimir Putin a 'killer'

In 2020, a lot of us coped with the pandemic by welcoming a dog into our homes. The American Kennel Club has now released a list of the most popular dog breeds of 2020. Has your cuddle buddy made it to the list? Watch this report by WION's Palki Sharma to find out.

Gravitas: America's Top Dogs of 2020

US Top diplomat Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin visited Japan to extend America's Pacific outreach. In a stern message to China, Blinken said America would push back against Beijing's aggressive tactics if needed. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a full report.

Gravitas: Top US officials extend Pacific outreach in Japan

The leaders of the Quad countries -- India, Australia, Japan and the United States -- have pledged to work with other countries who share the same goals, and to ensure that Covid vaccines are administered throughout the region till 2022. They also reiterated their commitment to a free and secure Indo-Pacific region.

Biden, Modi, Morrison and Suga pen joint op-ed, say Quad offers 'spark of hope'

Quad leaders pen joint Op-Ed, say Quad offers ‘spark of hope'

U.S. President Joe Biden met leaders of Australia, India and Japan on Friday (March 12), a group central to his efforts to counter China's growing military and economic power, and said a free and open Indo-Pacific region was essential to all of their futures.

Quad summit in the face of growing competition from China

A first-ever leaders' meeting of the Quad group of countries announced financing agreements to support an increase in manufacturing capacity for coronavirus vaccines in India.

Quad nations to expand COVID-19 vaccine production

Former US President Donald Trump has requested a mail-in ballot ahead of a local Municipal Election in Florida. The request has been made nearly a week after the deadline.

After crying 'fraud' for months, Trump requests mail-in ballot in Florida

The United States House of Representative passed President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief bill which will help Americans to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden's $1.9 tn COVID-19 relief bill cleared, Prez to sign law on Friday

Indian Ministry of External Affairs has announced that the first-ever summit of the leaders of ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’, also known as the Quad leaders' will take place virtually on March 12.

Top leaders of Quad nations to participate virtually on March 12

As states have begun vaccinating Americans with medical conditions that may raise their risk for a severe case of COVID-19, they are setting widely varying rules about which conditions to prioritize.

The morass of guidelines has set off a free-for-all among people with underlying health problems like cancer or Type 2 diabetes to persuade state health and political officials to add particular conditions to an evolving vaccine priority list.

In Royal Oak, Michigan, Megan Bauer, who lives with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that can cause serious lung infections, said she was grateful that other people with heightened risks were getting vaccinated: health care workers, teachers, her 81-year-old grandmother. If Bauer lived in Montana, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington, D.C., or at least 14 other states, she could get the vaccine now, too. But not in Michigan.

“The wait seems never-ending,” Bauer said. “With cystic fibrosis, every day is precious, so losing this time is difficult.”

In the initial months of the COVID vaccine rollout, states sought to balance between prioritizing older people, who are most likely to die from the virus, and people in professions most likely to be exposed to it. Under recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with medical conditions that have been associated with an increased risk for severe virus symptoms, were slated to come next.

At least 37 states, as well as Washington, D.C., are now allowing some residents with certain health problems to receive vaccines, according to a New York Times survey. But the health issues granted higher priority differ from state to state, and even county to county.

Some people with Down syndrome may get vaccines in at least 35 states, for instance, but some of those states are not offering shots to people with other developmental conditions. At least 30 states allow some people with Type 2 diabetes to get vaccines, but only 23 states include people with Type 1 diabetes. At least 19 states are making the vaccine available to some people with cystic fibrosis; at least 14 have included some people with liver disease; and at least 15 have deemed some smokers eligible. At least 30 states have prioritized vaccines for people who are overweight or obese, according to the Times survey, though they vary even there, some setting the bar at a body mass index of 25, others at 30 or 40.

Some states require people to prove they have a medical condition, although at least 16 states and Washington, D.C., do not. And at least 12 states allow people to get a recommendation from a health professional to get a shot, even if their medical condition has not been given priority by the state.

In the absence of large, rigorous studies of the coronavirus’s effect on people with other medical problems, medical ethicists said, there are few clear principles to apply to determine a priority sequence among many conditions. Many states are taking their cues from a list of 12 sorts of conditions that the CDC has deemed to have substantial evidence for elevated COVID risks, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, smoking and Down syndrome. CDC officials have said that they regularly review the scientific literature and will expand the list as warranted.

But some medical ethicists argue that the list itself is misleading, because it suggests that the risks for all diagnoses have been considered and ranked. Is a 50-year-old with Type 1 diabetes at greater risk from COVID than a 25-year-old with sickle cell disease, or a 35-year-old with intellectual disabilities?

The issue has set off a flurry of jockeying by advocacy groups to sway health and political leaders in state capitols to move particular health conditions higher on priority lists.

Because the vaccine rules can be set by governors — who typically consult with hospital officials and their own medical and ethical advisory groups — many appeals have taken a personal bent: “@GovMikeDeWine,” Hanna Detwiler, a bone-marrow transplant patient in Columbus, Ohio, tweeted about her inability to get a vaccine last month, “Do better.”

About three dozen health advocacy groups sent a letter in late January to Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York after growing concerned that the state might not explicitly include people with HIV on its priority list for shots. The groups cited the state health department’s own research on HIV as a risk factor for getting severely ill with COVID-19. New York ultimately became one of at least 14 states, along with Washington, D.C., to announce that HIV was on the vaccine priority list. A spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Health said this week that New York had always intended to include HIV patients on the priority list.

Across the country, the vaccine eligibility requirements are a moving target. Ohio added bone marrow transplant patients like Detwiler to its list last week after initially offering the vaccine only to those who had received a solid organ transplant. Next week, California, where only some counties have previously offered vaccines to people with medical conditions, will allow shots statewide to millions of people with health problems. That reversed the state’s earlier plan to prioritize shots based solely on age, which sparked high-profile opposition from disabilities rights advocates who used a hashtag #HighRiskCA.

Connecticut recently flipped in the opposite direction, ending plans to expand eligibility for shots to people with preexisting health conditions in favor of priorities based on age. And even some patient advocates who have pushed for inclusion are disheartened by what may be a system where the loudest voices, with perhaps the most funding or political clout, prevail.

“That is not how our public policies should be decided, on who is better at advocating,” said Kara Ayers, director of the Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities, which has created a vaccine prioritization dashboard with the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center to help people with medical conditions track their status.

State government officials say their decisions on which health conditions to include often come down to some combination of evidence, logistics and political reality.

In Michigan, a recent announcement was bittersweet for Bauer. This week, the state expanded vaccine eligibility to people with cystic fibrosis and other medical conditions, so long as they are older than 50.

In 2019, the median age of death for people with cystic fibrosis in the United States was 32, according to a patient registry kept by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“Most people with CF,’’ said Bauer, who is 24, “may not be in that group.”

As states have begun vaccinating Americans with medical conditions that may raise their risk for a severe case of COVID-19, they are setting widely varying rules about which conditions to prioritize.

As states have begun vaccinating Americans with medical conditions that may raise their risk for a severe case of COVID-19, they are setting widely varying rules about which conditions to prioritize. The morass of guidelines has set off a free-for-all among people with underlying health problems like cancer or Type 2 diabetes to persuade state health and political officials to add particular conditions to an evolving vaccine priority list. In Royal Oak, Michigan, Megan Bauer, who lives with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that can cause serious lung infections, said she was grateful that other people with heightened risks were getting vaccinated: health care workers, teachers, her 81-year-old grandmother. If Bauer lived in Montana, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington, D.C., or at least 14 other states, she could get the vaccine now, too. But not in Michigan. “The wait seems never-ending,” Bauer said. “With cystic fibrosis, every day is precious, so losing this time is difficult.” In the initial months of the COVID vaccine rollout, states sought to balance between prioritizing older people, who are most likely to die from the virus, and people in professions most likely to be exposed to it. Under recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with medical conditions that have been associated with an increased risk for severe virus symptoms, were slated to come next. At least 37 states, as well as Washington, D.C., are now allowing some residents with certain health problems to receive vaccines, according to a New York Times survey. But the health issues granted higher priority differ from state to state, and even county to county. Some people with Down syndrome may get vaccines in at least 35 states, for instance, but some of those states are not offering shots to people with other developmental conditions. At least 30 states allow some people with Type 2 diabetes to get vaccines, but only 23 states include people with Type 1 diabetes. At least 19 states are making the vaccine available to some people with cystic fibrosis; at least 14 have included some people with liver disease; and at least 15 have deemed some smokers eligible. At least 30 states have prioritized vaccines for people who are overweight or obese, according to the Times survey, though they vary even there, some setting the bar at a body mass index of 25, others at 30 or 40. Some states require people to prove they have a medical condition, although at least 16 states and Washington, D.C., do not. And at least 12 states allow people to get a recommendation from a health professional to get a shot, even if their medical condition has not been given priority by the state. In the absence of large, rigorous studies of the coronavirus’s effect on people with other medical problems, medical ethicists said, there are few clear principles to apply to determine a priority sequence among many conditions. Many states are taking their cues from a list of 12 sorts of conditions that the CDC has deemed to have substantial evidence for elevated COVID risks, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, smoking and Down syndrome. CDC officials have said that they regularly review the scientific literature and will expand the list as warranted. But some medical ethicists argue that the list itself is misleading, because it suggests that the risks for all diagnoses have been considered and ranked. Is a 50-year-old with Type 1 diabetes at greater risk from COVID than a 25-year-old with sickle cell disease, or a 35-year-old with intellectual disabilities? The issue has set off a flurry of jockeying by advocacy groups to sway health and political leaders in state capitols to move particular health conditions higher on priority lists. Because the vaccine rules can be set by governors — who typically consult with hospital officials and their own medical and ethical advisory groups — many appeals have taken a personal bent: “@GovMikeDeWine,” Hanna Detwiler, a bone-marrow transplant patient in Columbus, Ohio, tweeted about her inability to get a vaccine last month, “Do better.” About three dozen health advocacy groups sent a letter in late January to Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York after growing concerned that the state might not explicitly include people with HIV on its priority list for shots. The groups cited the state health department’s own research on HIV as a risk factor for getting severely ill with COVID-19. New York ultimately became one of at least 14 states, along with Washington, D.C., to announce that HIV was on the vaccine priority list. A spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Health said this week that New York had always intended to include HIV patients on the priority list. Across the country, the vaccine eligibility requirements are a moving target. Ohio added bone marrow transplant patients like Detwiler to its list last week after initially offering the vaccine only to those who had received a solid organ transplant. Next week, California, where only some counties have previously offered vaccines to people with medical conditions, will allow shots statewide to millions of people with health problems. That reversed the state’s earlier plan to prioritize shots based solely on age, which sparked high-profile opposition from disabilities rights advocates who used a hashtag #HighRiskCA. Connecticut recently flipped in the opposite direction, ending plans to expand eligibility for shots to people with preexisting health conditions in favor of priorities based on age. And even some patient advocates who have pushed for inclusion are disheartened by what may be a system where the loudest voices, with perhaps the most funding or political clout, prevail. “That is not how our public policies should be decided, on who is better at advocating,” said Kara Ayers, director of the Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities, which has created a vaccine prioritization dashboard with the Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center to help people with medical conditions track their status. State government officials say their decisions on which health conditions to include often come down to some combination of evidence, logistics and political reality. In Michigan, a recent announcement was bittersweet for Bauer. This week, the state expanded vaccine eligibility to people with cystic fibrosis and other medical conditions, so long as they are older than 50. In 2019, the median age of death for people with cystic fibrosis in the United States was 32, according to a patient registry kept by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “Most people with CF,’’ said Bauer, who is 24, “may not be in that group.”

How America’s vaccine system makes people with health problems fight for a place in line

The Joe Biden administration is granting temporary protected status to Venezuelan migrants living in the United States and is also working to coordinate international pressure against President Nicolas Maduro to hold free and fair elections.

US grants temporary protection to Venezuelan refugees

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