To give air support to Afghan security forces fighting Taliban in various parts of the country, US President Joe Biden has ordered B-52 bombers and Spectre gunships to target the group’s positions in Afghanistan, a MailOnline report said. Taliban are currently advancing towards key cities on Saturday.&nbsp;

According to the report, the bombers are supported by the AC-130 Spectre gunships, which are armed with a 25mm Gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon and a 105mm M102 cannon. It can provide pinpoint accurate fire from the air.&nbsp;

Fierce fighting is going on in the capital cities of Kunduz, Takhar and Badakhshan provinces between Afghan security forces and the Taliban in the north of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

In Kunduz, the public health directorate said around 11 civilians were killed and 39 more were wounded in fresh clashes that started on Friday evening.&nbsp;

Police said Taliban attacks on Faizabad city were pushed back by Afghan forces in Badakhshan.&nbsp;

As per sources, the city of Sheberghan, Jawzjan province capital in northern Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban after one week of clashes, sources said. It is the second provincial capital, which has fallen into the hands of Taliban in the last two days.&nbsp;

Afghan residents strongly criticise government’s strategy as Taliban make heavy gains. &nbsp;

To give air support to Afghan security forces fighting Taliban in various parts of the country, US President Joe Biden has ordered B-52 bombers and Spectre gunships to target the group’s positions in Afghanistan, a MailOnline report said.

To give air support to Afghan security forces fighting Taliban in various parts of the country, US President Joe Biden has ordered B-52 bombers and Spectre gunships to target the group’s positions in Afghanistan, a MailOnline report said. Taliban are currently advancing towards key cities on Saturday. According to the report, the bombers are supported by the AC-130 Spectre gunships, which are armed with a 25mm Gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon and a 105mm M102 cannon. It can provide pinpoint accurate fire from the air. Fierce fighting is going on in the capital cities of Kunduz, Takhar and Badakhshan provinces between Afghan security forces and the Taliban in the north of Afghanistan. In Kunduz, the public health directorate said around 11 civilians were killed and 39 more were wounded in fresh clashes that started on Friday evening. Police said Taliban attacks on Faizabad city were pushed back by Afghan forces in Badakhshan. As per sources, the city of Sheberghan, Jawzjan province capital in northern Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban after one week of clashes, sources said. It is the second provincial capital, which has fallen into the hands of Taliban in the last two days. Afghan residents strongly criticise government’s strategy as Taliban make heavy gains.

US orders B-52 bombers, Spectre gunships to target Taliban, says report  

Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday named the chairman of a powerful state-owned foundation sanctioned by the United States as his first vice-president.

Mohammad Mokhber, who has been long rumoured by local media to be the top pick for the position, has for years headed the foundation known as Setad, or the Execution of Imam Khomeini's order.

Mokhber was appointed to the position by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2007.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-take-new-steps-towards-the-development-of-ties-the-new-iran-president-tells-indias-foreign-minister-s-jaishankar-403497">Also read |&nbsp;Will take new steps towards the development of ties, the new Iran President tells India's foreign minister S Jaishankar</a>

This was following a string of official positions at the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

Raisi, himself, won a June 18 election marked by record abstention and took over moderate Hassan Rouhani.

On Thursday, Raisi took the oath of office before parliament, to which he must present a list of ministers within two weeks.

Raisi also picked Gholamhossein Esmaili, the judiciary's spokesman during his tenure, as his chief of staff.

Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday named the chairman of a powerful state-owned foundation sanctioned by the United States as his first vice-president.

Iran's new President Ebrahim Raisi on Sunday named the chairman of a powerful state-owned foundation sanctioned by the United States as his first vice-president. Mohammad Mokhber, who has been long rumoured by local media to be the top pick for the position, has for years headed the foundation known as Setad, or the Execution of Imam Khomeini's order. Mokhber was appointed to the position by the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2007. Also read | Will take new steps towards the development of ties, the new Iran President tells India's foreign minister S Jaishankar This was following a string of official positions at the southwestern province of Khuzestan. Raisi, himself, won a June 18 election marked by record abstention and took over moderate Hassan Rouhani. On Thursday, Raisi took the oath of office before parliament, to which he must present a list of ministers within two weeks. Raisi also picked Gholamhossein Esmaili, the judiciary's spokesman during his tenure, as his chief of staff.

US-sanctioned Mokhber named as first VP by Iran's Raisi

Students across the United States have begun to head back to school, starting in Atlanta this week. But parents’ hopes for a return to normal instruction in the fall have begun to evaporate as the highly contagious <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delta-is-the-fastest-covid-19-variant-and-will-pick-off-the-most-vulnerable-who-393278">delta variant</a> drives up cases and hospitalizations.

With policymakers from local school boards to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/the-white-house">White House</a> scrambling to balance public health and children’s learning needs, a patchwork of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> rules is emerging nationwide, provoking debates, division and anxieties among families, teachers and education officials.

Some large school districts like Los Angeles are requiring all staff members to get tested for the virus each week. States led by Democrats, including New Jersey, California and Illinois, have imposed statewide mask mandates in schools.

Also read |&nbsp;Delta variant fuels concerns for children's health in Florida

Meanwhile, states with Republican-controlled governments, such as Florida, Arizona and Arkansas, have forbidden districts to impose mask rules, casting mandates as an infringement on personal freedom and parental rights.

New York City will retain its school mask requirement, but the state of New York has not imposed a statewide policy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a> and federal health officials have emphasized that remote learning should not be used as a strategy to counter the delta variant surge. Even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised their guidance last week and called for universal masking in schools, the agency stressed the need for students to return to class.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-schools-begin-reopening-in-the-us-403746/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“We can and we must open schools this fall, full time,” Biden said recently. “It’s better for our children’s mental and emotional well-being, and we can’t afford another year out of the classroom.”

But with mask rules varying from state to state, and even within states and counties, the long-awaited return to school has many parents confused and unnerved.

Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, an expert on infectious diseases at the University of Southern California, said certain mask mandates make sense, but interventions “should be tied to the metrics.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/long-term-covid-symptoms-very-rare-in-children-study-confirms-402937">Long term Covid symptoms very rare in children, study confirms</a>

Cases may rise as school gets underway, he said, but severe illness in children from Covid&nbsp;is rare. In the last year and a half, about 64,700 people in California have died from the virus. Klausner said just 23 deaths were of children between 5 and 17 years old.

Students across the United States have begun to head back to school, starting in Atlanta this week. But parents’ hopes for a return to normal instruction in the fall have begun to evaporate as the highly contagious delta variant drives up cases and hospitalizations.

Students across the United States have begun to head back to school, starting in Atlanta this week. But parents’ hopes for a return to normal instruction in the fall have begun to evaporate as the highly contagious delta variant drives up cases and hospitalizations. With policymakers from local school boards to the White House scrambling to balance public health and children’s learning needs, a patchwork of coronavirus rules is emerging nationwide, provoking debates, division and anxieties among families, teachers and education officials. Some large school districts like Los Angeles are requiring all staff members to get tested for the virus each week. States led by Democrats, including New Jersey, California and Illinois, have imposed statewide mask mandates in schools. Also read | Delta variant fuels concerns for children's health in Florida Meanwhile, states with Republican-controlled governments, such as Florida, Arizona and Arkansas, have forbidden districts to impose mask rules, casting mandates as an infringement on personal freedom and parental rights. New York City will retain its school mask requirement, but the state of New York has not imposed a statewide policy. President Joe Biden and federal health officials have emphasized that remote learning should not be used as a strategy to counter the delta variant surge. Even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised their guidance last week and called for universal masking in schools, the agency stressed the need for students to return to class. “We can and we must open schools this fall, full time,” Biden said recently. “It’s better for our children’s mental and emotional well-being, and we can’t afford another year out of the classroom.” But with mask rules varying from state to state, and even within states and counties, the long-awaited return to school has many parents confused and unnerved. Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, an expert on infectious diseases at the University of Southern California, said certain mask mandates make sense, but interventions “should be tied to the metrics.” Also read | Long term Covid symptoms very rare in children, study confirms Cases may rise as school gets underway, he said, but severe illness in children from Covid is rare. In the last year and a half, about 64,700 people in California have died from the virus. Klausner said just 23 deaths were of children between 5 and 17 years old.

Delta variant fuels anxiety and mask debates as students return to school

America's hopes of returning to some semblance of normal life this summer have been hindered by the delta variant. The latest wave of Covid-19 in the US has particularly swept up greater numbers of American children.

COVID-19: Schools begin reopening in the US

Panama&nbsp;and&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;agreed Friday to&nbsp;facilitate&nbsp;the controlled transit of undocumented migrants seeking to reach the United States, in an attempt to slow the surge of people and protect them from organized crime.

The two countries will establish a series of quotas next week of migrants that each nation can receive.

So far this year, 49,000 migrants have crossed the border between&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Panama, as many as in the last four years combined, fleeing the crisis caused by the pandemic, poverty and violence in their home countries.

The agreement followed a meeting in the town of Meteti, in southern&nbsp;Panama, attended by Colombian vice president and foreign minister Marta Lucia Ramirez and Panamanian foreign minister Erika Mouynes, in addition to other ministers and senior security officials.

Another Panamanian delegation will travel to&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;Monday "to determine a number, a quota of migrants" who can "be received in a safe and orderly manner by the Panamanian side," Mouynes said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-announces-five-additions-to-global-terrorist-list-403595">Also read |&nbsp;US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list</a>

"We are going to regularize a contingent or a daily amount of people who preferably move through a single place, who have a single place of arrival in&nbsp;Panama," Ramirez added.

Both countries will also examine possible transportation alternatives to prevent migrants from having to cross a deadly jungle corridor known as the Darien Gap.

Colombia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Panama&nbsp;also agreed to organize police and judicial cooperation to prevent criminal networks from taking advantage of undocumented migrants to develop their operations.

At an upcoming regional meeting that will include the United States, the two nations will seek to join a regional quota agreement that would allow the controlled&nbsp;passage&nbsp;of migrants.

The surge in migrants is threatening to overwhelm the care centers Panamanian authorities have set up to care for them after they pass through the Darien Gap.

For several weeks, thousands of migrants, including minors and pregnant women, have been stranded in the Colombian port town of Necocli as they wait for boats to cross into neighboring&nbsp;Panama.

The Gulf of Uraba, on&nbsp;Colombia's northern coast, is one of the main transit points for refugees from nearby Latin American nations as well as Africa and Asia.

Panama and Colombia agreed Friday to facilitate the controlled transit of undocumented migrants seeking to reach the United States, in an attempt to slow the surge of people and protect them from organized crime.

Panama and Colombia agreed Friday to facilitate the controlled transit of undocumented migrants seeking to reach the United States, in an attempt to slow the surge of people and protect them from organized crime. The two countries will establish a series of quotas next week of migrants that each nation can receive. So far this year, 49,000 migrants have crossed the border between Colombia and Panama, as many as in the last four years combined, fleeing the crisis caused by the pandemic, poverty and violence in their home countries. The agreement followed a meeting in the town of Meteti, in southern Panama, attended by Colombian vice president and foreign minister Marta Lucia Ramirez and Panamanian foreign minister Erika Mouynes, in addition to other ministers and senior security officials. Another Panamanian delegation will travel to Colombia Monday "to determine a number, a quota of migrants" who can "be received in a safe and orderly manner by the Panamanian side," Mouynes said. Also read | US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list "We are going to regularize a contingent or a daily amount of people who preferably move through a single place, who have a single place of arrival in Panama," Ramirez added. Both countries will also examine possible transportation alternatives to prevent migrants from having to cross a deadly jungle corridor known as the Darien Gap. Colombia and Panama also agreed to organize police and judicial cooperation to prevent criminal networks from taking advantage of undocumented migrants to develop their operations. At an upcoming regional meeting that will include the United States, the two nations will seek to join a regional quota agreement that would allow the controlled passage of migrants. The surge in migrants is threatening to overwhelm the care centers Panamanian authorities have set up to care for them after they pass through the Darien Gap. For several weeks, thousands of migrants, including minors and pregnant women, have been stranded in the Colombian port town of Necocli as they wait for boats to cross into neighboring Panama. The Gulf of Uraba, on Colombia's northern coast, is one of the main transit points for refugees from nearby Latin American nations as well as Africa and Asia.

Panama, Colombia to facilitate safer migrant passage to US

The State Department on Friday announced the addition of five alleged Islamist militants to its Specially Designated Global Terrorist list, requiring the blocking of any ownership or interests in US&nbsp;properties they hold. 
 
The designations also expose to possible US&nbsp;sanctions individuals or foreign financial institutions who engage in certain transactions with the five. 
 
They include Bonomade Machude Omar, the senior military commander of Islamic State's affiliate in Mozambique, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. Omar led a group of extremists, who killed dozens of people in an attack on the Amarula Hotel in the town of Palma in March, Blinken said. 
 
He also is responsible for attacks elsewhere in Mozambique and in Tanzania, Blinken said. 
 
Sidang Hitta and Salem Ould al-Hasan, senior leaders of Mali-based al Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, also were designated, as were Ali Mohamed Rage and Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, leaders of the al Shabaab group of Somalia, Blinken said.

The State Department on Friday announced the addition of five alleged Islamist militants to its Specially Designated Global Terrorist list, requiring the blocking of any ownership or interests in US properties they hold.

The State Department on Friday announced the addition of five alleged Islamist militants to its Specially Designated Global Terrorist list, requiring the blocking of any ownership or interests in US properties they hold. The designations also expose to possible US sanctions individuals or foreign financial institutions who engage in certain transactions with the five. They include Bonomade Machude Omar, the senior military commander of Islamic State's affiliate in Mozambique, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. Omar led a group of extremists, who killed dozens of people in an attack on the Amarula Hotel in the town of Palma in March, Blinken said. He also is responsible for attacks elsewhere in Mozambique and in Tanzania, Blinken said. Sidang Hitta and Salem Ould al-Hasan, senior leaders of Mali-based al Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, also were designated, as were Ali Mohamed Rage and Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir, leaders of the al Shabaab group of Somalia, Blinken said.

US State Department announces five additions to global terrorist list

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks.&nbsp;

Much of the surge is concentrated in the southeastern state of&nbsp;Florida, where some school districts are defying an order by the Republican governor forbidding mask mandates, in the latest political twist in the health crisis.

"Parents are put into an impossible situation of having to choose between the health and life of their child and returning (to) school," said a lawsuit against the governor's order filed by parents of children with disabilities on Friday.

The majority of children who catch the coronavirus will have a mild or asymptomatic disease, and until recently they had not been a major focal point of the pandemic.

That's now changing with Delta, a variant that is as contagious as chickenpox and largely drove 72,000 pediatric cases in the week leading up to July 29, according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics,&nbsp;a&nbsp;figure five times higher than in late June.

Nearly 20,000 of those cases were in&nbsp;Florida, according to state data.

The Sunshine State is also experiencing the highest number of hospitalisations for minors in the country, currently 143, which is ahead of Texas.

"We definitely have seen an increase in cases here, in our emergency department and also within the rest of the hospital, in the last two or three weeks," Dr. Marcos Mestre, medical director of Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, told AFP.

Most contagious, likely more severe

Only around one percent of children diagnosed with Covid-19 will be hospitalised, said Mestre, but complications are more likely for those with diabetes or who are overweight.

While studies have confirmed Delta is the most transmissible strain to date, there is uncertainty about whether it causes more severe disease.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky said this week that while preliminary studies indicate it may be more serious in adults as well as children, further confirmatory research is needed.

What's so far clear is that northeastern parts of the United States that have driven down community transmission through high levels of adult vaccination are also seeing the lowest rates of pediatric infection. Children are least safe in areas of low adult vaccination.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-search-of-covid-19-origin-us-intel-agencies-scour-massive-genetic-data-from-wuhan-lab-403569\">Also read |&nbsp;In search of COVID-19 origin, US intel agencies scour massive genetic data from Wuhan lab</a>

With new cases surging to levels seen last summer, the CDC now recommends students, staff and all employees remain masked regardless of vaccination status to stem the spread of the airborne virus.

But&nbsp;Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis -- who previously signed legislation banning businesses from using vaccine passports -- is now threatening to cut funding for schools that follow scientific guidance and reimpose mask mandates.

&nbsp;Vaccines the way out

Several school districts have announced plans to defy the governor anyway, including Broward County, the second-largest in the state.

The political fight has made its way to the White House, with President Joe Biden this week telling recalcitrant state leaders, "If you're not going to help, get out of the way."

"If you're coming after the rights of parents in&nbsp;Florida, I'm standing in your way," clapped back DeSantis.

Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist who practices in Jacksonville and backs mask use at school, said it was wrong to downplay the risks to children.

Children "do get sick, they do get hospitalised, they do get into intensive care units and they do die of Covid," he told AFP.

Like adults, children will have to be vaccinated in the long run, he added.

The United States made vaccines available to over-12s in May, but the shots are still being tested for younger children and aren't likely to be authorised until at least the end of the year.

At a vaccination event held at the FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat,&nbsp;33-year-old Sara Medina told AFP the last year of online schooling had been "a little crazy," and she was glad the shot paved the way for her 12-year-old son Jayden to get back to the classroom.

Pediatricians strongly advocate for a safe return to in-person learning because of the social, mental health and educational benefits.&nbsp;

"Last year we had to stay home all the time, it was kind of getting boring at home," said Jayden.

"It's important to have (the mask) just in case, for all of us to be safe," he added.

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks.

Greater numbers of American children are being swept up in a wave of coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant, causing renewed anxiety for parents and a bitter political fight as schools prepare to reopen within weeks. Much of the surge is concentrated in the southeastern state of Florida, where some school districts are defying an order by the Republican governor forbidding mask mandates, in the latest political twist in the health crisis. "Parents are put into an impossible situation of having to choose between the health and life of their child and returning (to) school," said a lawsuit against the governor's order filed by parents of children with disabilities on Friday. The majority of children who catch the coronavirus will have a mild or asymptomatic disease, and until recently they had not been a major focal point of the pandemic. That's now changing with Delta, a variant that is as contagious as chickenpox and largely drove 72,000 pediatric cases in the week leading up to July 29, according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a figure five times higher than in late June. Nearly 20,000 of those cases were in Florida, according to state data. The Sunshine State is also experiencing the highest number of hospitalisations for minors in the country, currently 143, which is ahead of Texas. "We definitely have seen an increase in cases here, in our emergency department and also within the rest of the hospital, in the last two or three weeks," Dr. Marcos Mestre, medical director of Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, told AFP. Most contagious, likely more severe Only around one percent of children diagnosed with Covid-19 will be hospitalised, said Mestre, but complications are more likely for those with diabetes or who are overweight. While studies have confirmed Delta is the most transmissible strain to date, there is uncertainty about whether it causes more severe disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky said this week that while preliminary studies indicate it may be more serious in adults as well as children, further confirmatory research is needed. What's so far clear is that northeastern parts of the United States that have driven down community transmission through high levels of adult vaccination are also seeing the lowest rates of pediatric infection. Children are least safe in areas of low adult vaccination. Also read | In search of COVID-19 origin, US intel agencies scour massive genetic data from Wuhan lab With new cases surging to levels seen last summer, the CDC now recommends students, staff and all employees remain masked regardless of vaccination status to stem the spread of the airborne virus. But Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis -- who previously signed legislation banning businesses from using vaccine passports -- is now threatening to cut funding for schools that follow scientific guidance and reimpose mask mandates. Vaccines the way out Several school districts have announced plans to defy the governor anyway, including Broward County, the second-largest in the state. The political fight has made its way to the White House, with President Joe Biden this week telling recalcitrant state leaders, "If you're not going to help, get out of the way." "If you're coming after the rights of parents in Florida, I'm standing in your way," clapped back DeSantis. Dr. Mobeen Rathore, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist who practices in Jacksonville and backs mask use at school, said it was wrong to downplay the risks to children. Children "do get sick, they do get hospitalised, they do get into intensive care units and they do die of Covid," he told AFP. Like adults, children will have to be vaccinated in the long run, he added. The United States made vaccines available to over-12s in May, but the shots are still being tested for younger children and aren't likely to be authorised until at least the end of the year. At a vaccination event held at the FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat, 33-year-old Sara Medina told AFP the last year of online schooling had been "a little crazy," and she was glad the shot paved the way for her 12-year-old son Jayden to get back to the classroom. Pediatricians strongly advocate for a safe return to in-person learning because of the social, mental health and educational benefits. "Last year we had to stay home all the time, it was kind of getting boring at home," said Jayden. "It's important to have (the mask) just in case, for all of us to be safe," he added.

Delta variant fuels concerns for children's health in Florida

Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf&nbsp;said&nbsp;no US official or lawmaker asked for a military base in Pakistan, a Dawn report said.&nbsp;

Yusuf gave the statement while leaving for&nbsp;Islamabad on Thursday night.&nbsp;He was on&nbsp;a&nbsp;10-day visit to the United States capital.&nbsp;

Summing up the visit, the&nbsp;national security adviser told&nbsp;US-based Pakistani journalists,&nbsp;“The word base was not mentioned, not even once, during our talks, except in the media.&nbsp;Bases were not discussed at all from either side during this trip because we have already made our position clear. That chapter is closed."&nbsp;

Earlier,&nbsp;there were&nbsp;reports in both&nbsp;the&nbsp;US and Pakistani media, which&nbsp;said&nbsp;that the&nbsp;US&nbsp;was seeking military bases in Pakistan to influence developments in Afghanistan,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;if the Taliban seized Kabul.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;US officials&nbsp;also&nbsp;did talk about using Pakistani airspace&nbsp;to&nbsp;reach Afghanistan and having bases in the region but&nbsp;there was no mention of the location&nbsp;at&nbsp;a recent congressional hearing.&nbsp;

Underlining&nbsp;Pakistan’s desire to maintain good ties with both&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;and&nbsp;Beijing,&nbsp;Yusuf&nbsp;said,&nbsp;“If there are tensions between the United States and China, we cannot say that our relations with both will remain seamless.”&nbsp;

Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said no US official or lawmaker asked for a military base in Pakistan, a Dawn report said. Yusuf gave the statement while leaving for Islamabad on Thursday night.

Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said no US official or lawmaker asked for a military base in Pakistan, a Dawn report said. Yusuf gave the statement while leaving for Islamabad on Thursday night. He was on a 10-day visit to the United States capital. Summing up the visit, the national security adviser told US-based Pakistani journalists, “The word base was not mentioned, not even once, during our talks, except in the media. Bases were not discussed at all from either side during this trip because we have already made our position clear. That chapter is closed." Earlier, there were reports in both the US and Pakistani media, which said that the US was seeking military bases in Pakistan to influence developments in Afghanistan, especially if the Taliban seized Kabul. The US officials also did talk about using Pakistani airspace to reach Afghanistan and having bases in the region but there was no mention of the location at a recent congressional hearing. Underlining Pakistan’s desire to maintain good ties with both Washington and Beijing, Yusuf said, “If there are tensions between the United States and China, we cannot say that our relations with both will remain seamless.”

Pakistan NSA says, word ‘base’ never mentioned in talks with US 

US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a new directive for Boeing 77 Max to address an issue with reduced fire suppression capabilities. It has also issued a directive on Boeing's ability to transport flammables.

US Federal Aviation Administration issues new directive for Boeing 77 Max

President Joe Biden plans to call for half of all vehicles sold in the U.S. to be capable of emissions-free driving by the end of the decade. The move also has backing from biggest US auto-makers.

US President Joe Biden sets goal for clean cars, mandates to cut climate-warming emissions

Afghanistan President's special envoy Umer Daudzai slammed Ghani's remarks. "US decision to withdraw troops is a big mistake", says Afghanistan President's special envoy Umer Daudzai while speaking to WION and blamed the US for the Afghan security situation.

WION Exclusive: Ghani's top aide Umer Daudzai slams US

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden?page=1">Joe Biden</a> announced Thursday that Hong Kong citizens currently in the United States who fear for their safety amid the political crackdown back home will receive temporary safe haven.

Biden said the move recognizes "the significant erosion" of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong by the Chinese government.

"By unilaterally imposing on Hong Kong the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People's Republic of China has undermined the enjoyment of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong," he said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-says-us-has-approved-potential-sales-of-howitzers-to-taiwan-402976" hreflang="en">Pentagon says US has approved potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan</a>

Biden cited the "politically motivated arrests" of more than 100 opposition politicians, activists and protestors on charges under the national security law, including allegations of secession, subversion and terrorist activities.

More than 10,000 others have been arrested in relation to anti-government protests, he said.

The new decision allows Hong Kong residents currently in the United States to remain for 18 months and to be allowed to work.

"This action demonstrates President Biden’s strong support for people in Hong Kong in the face of ongoing repression by the People’s Republic of China, and makes clear we will not stand idly by as the PRC breaks its promises to Hong Kong and to the international community," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-tells-florida-texas-leaders-to-help-on-covid-19-or-get-out-of-the-way-402737" hreflang="en">Biden tells Florida, Texas leaders to help on COVID-19 or 'get out of the way'</a>

Biden announced the Hong Kongers present in the United States as of Thursday would be granted "deferred enforced departure," (DED) similar to "temporary protected status" (TPS), which is given to foreign nationals stuck in the United States due to natural disasters or political upheavals back home.

TPS is a status assigned to countries by the Department of Homeland Security, while DED can be declared by the president under his own powers, according to a US government website.

Neither status is permanent but can be renewed regularly.

'Democracy has dimmed'

China introduced the national security law in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020, giving Beijing more power over the territory's judiciary and criminalizing many types of political activities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-set-target-of-half-of-us-car-sales-to-be-zero-emission-by-2030-white-house-403259" hreflang="en">Biden to set target of half of US car sales to be zero-emission by 2030: White House</a>

Critics say it is being used to undermine the "one country, two systems" architecture for the city's governance, established when Britain handed its former colony back to China in 1997.

The arrests of opposition politicians has stifled free speech and left activists in fear of detention or other punishment, including those overseas.

In June, Hong Kong police raided the offices of the feisty pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, shutting it down and arresting key executives.

Under the national security law, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "Hong Kong’s promise of democracy has dimmed."

"The PRC has fundamentally altered the bedrock of Hong Kong's institutions and suppressed freedoms of Hong Kongers," he said in a statement.

The decision to grant Hong Kongers safe haven is likely to further sour relations between Beijing and Washington, as the two sides face off over China's contested territorial claims to Taiwan and islands in the South China Sea, US allegations that China methodically steals American intellectual property, and the sweeping repression of Uyghurs and other minorities in China's western Xinjiang region.

China believes that the United States seeks to repress its metamorphosis into a global power.

When a top US diplomat, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, visited Beijing in July for talks, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng said that Washington must stop seeing China as an "imaginary enemy."

"The hope may be that by demonizing China, the US could somehow... blame China for its own structural problems," Xie told her.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday that Hong Kong citizens currently in the United States who fear for their safety amid the political crackdown back home will receive temporary safe haven.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday that Hong Kong citizens currently in the United States who fear for their safety amid the political crackdown back home will receive temporary safe haven. Biden said the move recognizes "the significant erosion" of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong by the Chinese government. "By unilaterally imposing on Hong Kong the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People's Republic of China has undermined the enjoyment of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong," he said in a statement. Also read | Pentagon says US has approved potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan Biden cited the "politically motivated arrests" of more than 100 opposition politicians, activists and protestors on charges under the national security law, including allegations of secession, subversion and terrorist activities. More than 10,000 others have been arrested in relation to anti-government protests, he said. The new decision allows Hong Kong residents currently in the United States to remain for 18 months and to be allowed to work. "This action demonstrates President Biden’s strong support for people in Hong Kong in the face of ongoing repression by the People’s Republic of China, and makes clear we will not stand idly by as the PRC breaks its promises to Hong Kong and to the international community," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. Also read | Biden tells Florida, Texas leaders to help on COVID-19 or 'get out of the way' Biden announced the Hong Kongers present in the United States as of Thursday would be granted "deferred enforced departure," (DED) similar to "temporary protected status" (TPS), which is given to foreign nationals stuck in the United States due to natural disasters or political upheavals back home. TPS is a status assigned to countries by the Department of Homeland Security, while DED can be declared by the president under his own powers, according to a US government website. Neither status is permanent but can be renewed regularly. 'Democracy has dimmed' China introduced the national security law in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020, giving Beijing more power over the territory's judiciary and criminalizing many types of political activities. Also read | Biden to set target of half of US car sales to be zero-emission by 2030: White House Critics say it is being used to undermine the "one country, two systems" architecture for the city's governance, established when Britain handed its former colony back to China in 1997. The arrests of opposition politicians has stifled free speech and left activists in fear of detention or other punishment, including those overseas. In June, Hong Kong police raided the offices of the feisty pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, shutting it down and arresting key executives. Under the national security law, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "Hong Kong’s promise of democracy has dimmed." "The PRC has fundamentally altered the bedrock of Hong Kong's institutions and suppressed freedoms of Hong Kongers," he said in a statement. The decision to grant Hong Kongers safe haven is likely to further sour relations between Beijing and Washington, as the two sides face off over China's contested territorial claims to Taiwan and islands in the South China Sea, US allegations that China methodically steals American intellectual property, and the sweeping repression of Uyghurs and other minorities in China's western Xinjiang region. China believes that the United States seeks to repress its metamorphosis into a global power. When a top US diplomat, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, visited Beijing in July for talks, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng said that Washington must stop seeing China as an "imaginary enemy." "The hope may be that by demonizing China, the US could somehow... blame China for its own structural problems," Xie told her.

Biden offers Hong Kongers in US safe haven

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming.

"If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios.

His comments underscore the importance of acting quickly to vaccinate the tens of millions of Americans who have not been inoculated against the virus.

The current surge in coronavirus cases nationwide is being driven by the Delta variant, which is already more contagious than the original strain of the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-covid-comforter-to-sex-assault-accused-new-york-governor-cuomos-fall-from-grace-403032">Also read |&nbsp;From Covid comforter to sex assault accused: New York Governor Cuomo's fall from grace</a>

Recent data shows that vaccinated people who still get infected with the delta variant also have high viral loads and can spread it to others, even when they aren't showing symptoms or are experiencing mild disease. "We're now dealing with, really, a different virus," said Fauci.

As the virus continues to spread due to insufficient vaccination rates, it is being given "ample" time to mutate into a more dangerous new variant in the fall and winter, Fauci said.

"Quite frankly, we're very lucky that the vaccines that we have now do very well against the variants, particularly against severe illness," Fauci said, emphasising that this might not be the case with a new variant.

"If another one comes along that has an equally high capability of transmitting but also is much more severe, then we could really be in trouble," he said.

"People who are not getting vaccinated mistakenly think it's only about them. But it isn't. It's about everybody else, also."

Moreover, other variants are already cropping up. South Korea has reported two cases of highly transmissible delta plus variant of the coronavirus.

It is the first time that the country has reported the Delta Plus variant, considered a sublineage of the Delta variant, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing the country's Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Some experts believe the Delta Plus variant could be more contagious than the Delta variant.

The Lambda variant, which originated from Peru last year, has already been detected in the US, reported Axios.

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming. "If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios.

US top coronavirus adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Wednesday (local time) said that Covid-19 cases may double as variant worse than Delta could be coming. "If America's current COVID-19 surge continues unabated into the fall and winter, the country will likely face an even more deadly strain of the virus that could evade the current coronavirus vaccines, Fauci told McClatchy, reported Axios. His comments underscore the importance of acting quickly to vaccinate the tens of millions of Americans who have not been inoculated against the virus. The current surge in coronavirus cases nationwide is being driven by the Delta variant, which is already more contagious than the original strain of the virus. Also read | From Covid comforter to sex assault accused: New York Governor Cuomo's fall from grace Recent data shows that vaccinated people who still get infected with the delta variant also have high viral loads and can spread it to others, even when they aren't showing symptoms or are experiencing mild disease. "We're now dealing with, really, a different virus," said Fauci. As the virus continues to spread due to insufficient vaccination rates, it is being given "ample" time to mutate into a more dangerous new variant in the fall and winter, Fauci said. "Quite frankly, we're very lucky that the vaccines that we have now do very well against the variants, particularly against severe illness," Fauci said, emphasising that this might not be the case with a new variant. "If another one comes along that has an equally high capability of transmitting but also is much more severe, then we could really be in trouble," he said. "People who are not getting vaccinated mistakenly think it's only about them. But it isn't. It's about everybody else, also." Moreover, other variants are already cropping up. South Korea has reported two cases of highly transmissible delta plus variant of the coronavirus. It is the first time that the country has reported the Delta Plus variant, considered a sublineage of the Delta variant, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday citing the country's Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Some experts believe the Delta Plus variant could be more contagious than the Delta variant. The Lambda variant, which originated from Peru last year, has already been detected in the US, reported Axios.

COVID-19 cases may double in US as variant worse than Delta could be coming, says Fauci

The FBI identified Wednesday the attacker who killed a police officer on a bus platform at the&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;and forced the US Defense Department into lockdown, but gave no motive for the attack.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said 27-year-old Georgia native Austin William Lanz got off a bus on Tuesday morning and "immediately, without provocation" stabbed&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;Force Protection Agency officer George Gonzalez with a knife,&nbsp;just yards from entrance of the highly secure military headquarters.

"A struggle ensued, in which the subject mortally wounded Officer Gonzalez and then shot himself with the officer's service weapon," the FBI said in a statement.

Other officers then got involved, and Lanz died at the scene, the FBI said. It did not say if the officers also shot Lanz, but witnesses said there was a volley of gunfire in the incident.

Gonzalez was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

A bystander was also injured but taken to hospital with minor injuries and later released, the FBI said.

No motive was suggested for the attack. Lanz, of Acworth, Georgia, had a long list of arrests according to local Georgia news reports citing court records.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-says-us-has-approved-potential-sales-of-howitzers-to-taiwan-402976">Also read |&nbsp;Pentagon says US has approved potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan</a>

He had been charged with attacking a police officer, making terroristic threats and burglary, among other offenses.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he was out on bail and had been ordered by a judge to be evaluated for mental health and substance abuse.

The attack forced a full lockdown of the&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;and its thousands of workers for 90 minutes.

Gonzalez was mourned by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who was not in the building at the time of the attack.

"This fallen officer died in the line of duty, helping protect the tens of thousands of people who work in -- and who visit -- the&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;on a daily basis," Austin said in a statement.

"He and his fellow officers are members of the&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;family, and known to us all as professional, skilled and brave."

The FBI identified Wednesday the attacker who killed a police officer on a bus platform at the Pentagon and forced the US Defense Department into lockdown, but gave no motive for the attack.

The FBI identified Wednesday the attacker who killed a police officer on a bus platform at the Pentagon and forced the US Defense Department into lockdown, but gave no motive for the attack. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said 27-year-old Georgia native Austin William Lanz got off a bus on Tuesday morning and "immediately, without provocation" stabbed Pentagon Force Protection Agency officer George Gonzalez with a knife, just yards from entrance of the highly secure military headquarters. "A struggle ensued, in which the subject mortally wounded Officer Gonzalez and then shot himself with the officer's service weapon," the FBI said in a statement. Other officers then got involved, and Lanz died at the scene, the FBI said. It did not say if the officers also shot Lanz, but witnesses said there was a volley of gunfire in the incident. Gonzalez was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. A bystander was also injured but taken to hospital with minor injuries and later released, the FBI said. No motive was suggested for the attack. Lanz, of Acworth, Georgia, had a long list of arrests according to local Georgia news reports citing court records. Also read | Pentagon says US has approved potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan He had been charged with attacking a police officer, making terroristic threats and burglary, among other offenses. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he was out on bail and had been ordered by a judge to be evaluated for mental health and substance abuse. The attack forced a full lockdown of the Pentagon and its thousands of workers for 90 minutes. Gonzalez was mourned by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who was not in the building at the time of the attack. "This fallen officer died in the line of duty, helping protect the tens of thousands of people who work in -- and who visit -- the Pentagon on a daily basis," Austin said in a statement. "He and his fellow officers are members of the Pentagon family, and known to us all as professional, skilled and brave."

Pentagon attacker identified, motive remains unclear

Mohammad Haneef Atmar, the Afghan foreign minister, spoke to his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday about holding an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the Taliban's brutality and crimes across Afghanistan.&nbsp;

India is the President of the United Nations Security Council for August and decides upon the work of the top United Nations body.&nbsp;

An Afghan government readout said Afghan FM called Dr S Jaishankar to "discuss convening an emergency UN Security Council Session on Afghanistan" and that the "UN &amp; international community must play a greater role in stopping the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan due to Taliban violence &amp; atrocities. Appreciate the lead role of India as the current UNSC President. "

The development comes even as the Taliban has increased offensives in many parts of the country, including Herat, Kandahar, and Helmand. The Afghan foreign minister also briefed the foreign envoys, including Indian envoy Rudrendra Tandon, on the situation in his country and how the Taliban is being supported by international terror groups, including the Pakistan-based anti-India Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

On Monday, UNSC President, &nbsp;Indian envoy to the UN, T S Tirumurti, said, "The situation in Afghanistan is of deep concern to all members of the Security Council. We have seen in recent days, violence is only increasing and targeted killing has increased". He made the comments at the customary presser by the UNSC President on the first working day of the council.

He highlighted that "India has supported every opportunity that could bring peace, security, and stability to Afghanistan. We should address the question of violence and targeted attacks. "

A UN report said that the number of casualties from May to June exceeded the number between January and April. Recently, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) compound in Herat came under attack, something that was condemned by the international community.

Mohammad Haneef Atmar, the Afghan foreign minister, spoke to his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday about holding an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the Taliban's brutality and crimes across Afghanistan.

Mohammad Haneef Atmar, the Afghan foreign minister, spoke to his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday about holding an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the Taliban's brutality and crimes across Afghanistan. India is the President of the United Nations Security Council for August and decides upon the work of the top United Nations body. An Afghan government readout said Afghan FM called Dr S Jaishankar to "discuss convening an emergency UN Security Council Session on Afghanistan" and that the "UN & international community must play a greater role in stopping the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan due to Taliban violence & atrocities. Appreciate the lead role of India as the current UNSC President. " The development comes even as the Taliban has increased offensives in many parts of the country, including Herat, Kandahar, and Helmand. The Afghan foreign minister also briefed the foreign envoys, including Indian envoy Rudrendra Tandon, on the situation in his country and how the Taliban is being supported by international terror groups, including the Pakistan-based anti-India Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). On Monday, UNSC President, Indian envoy to the UN, T S Tirumurti, said, "The situation in Afghanistan is of deep concern to all members of the Security Council. We have seen in recent days, violence is only increasing and targeted killing has increased". He made the comments at the customary presser by the UNSC President on the first working day of the council. He highlighted that "India has supported every opportunity that could bring peace, security, and stability to Afghanistan. We should address the question of violence and targeted attacks. " A UN report said that the number of casualties from May to June exceeded the number between January and April. Recently, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) compound in Herat came under attack, something that was condemned by the international community.

Taliban attacks: Afghan foreign minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar dials Dr S Jaishankar, calls for emergency UNSC session

As vaccines help quell <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> cases, millions of Americans have gone back to work, but fewer Black and Hispanic workers are being rehired, entrenching persistent inequalities in the United States.

The divides are fueled by long-running&nbsp;employment&nbsp;discrimination, experts say, worsened by unique, virus-related disruptions that have left many job seekers unable to find work they can get to, or feel safe doing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/social-inequities-explain-racial-gaps-in-pandemic-studies-find-348674">Social inequities explain racial gaps in pandemic, studies find</a>

"We haven't actually addressed those underlying power disparities in the&nbsp;economy," said Kate Bahn, director of labour market policy with the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.

After skyrocketing to 14.7 per cent in April 2020 when business restrictions to stop the virus from spreading were at their tightest, the US&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;rate dropped to 5.9 per cent in June, according to the Labor Department.

But the gains were not shared equally: the jobless rate for Black workers was 9.2 per cent and for Hispanics 7.4 per cent, compared with 5.2 per cent for whites.

The&nbsp;racial&nbsp;and ethnic&nbsp;employment&nbsp;gaps in the world's largest&nbsp;economy&nbsp;were present even when&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;was at record lows before the pandemic.

In Washington, the issue is receiving renewed attention from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>, who has put forth massive spending plans he says will help reshape the&nbsp;economy&nbsp;and make it more inclusive.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/classrooms-grapple-with-racial-slurs-in-classic-american-novels-394213">Classrooms grapple with racial slurs in classic American novels</a>

"When I started studying economics in 1963, the average Black family's wealth was roughly 15 percent of the average white family's," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday.

"What is surprising, however, is that it's almost six decades later, and the data point has barely changed. It's still 15 percent."

The Federal Reserve has also pledged to keep interest rates low for longer to increase the hiring of&nbsp;racial&nbsp;minorities, something that took nearly a decade following the 2008 global financial crisis.

"We all do better when the pie is bigger, and you get the pie bigger by being aggressive about this," William Spriggs, chief economist of the AFL-CIO trade union federation, told AFP.

'Fixed disparity'

The Labor Department is due to release the latest&nbsp;employment&nbsp;report on Friday, which some economists expect will show the&nbsp;economy&nbsp;gaining over one million jobs in July, lowering the&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;rate to 5.6 per cent as more businesses reopen.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-protests-highlight-inequalities-and-endemic-racial-discrimination-un-rights-chief-michelle-bachelet-302667">US protests highlight inequalities and endemic racial discrimination: UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet</a>

The June data showed&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;for white women was five per cent, despite losing jobs last year at about the same rate as Black workers, who have seen much slower rehiring. The trend is similar for Hispanics.

"There is a fixed disparity between Blacks and whites in terms of being rehired," Spriggs said.

A higher share of Black women are looking for jobs than white women, but large and small companies nationwide nonetheless complain they cannot find people to fill open positions, especially skilled workers.

"These employers are all yelling we can't find workers, we can't find workers. Black women are more available and yet they're not hiring them," Spriggs said.

"It's discrimination. Until we get serious about discrimination in hiring and discrimination in labor force, we just can't advance."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-lives-matter-activists-note-contrast-in-police-response-at-capitol-355386">Black Lives Matter activists note contrast in police response at Capitol</a>

Scholars blame the disparity on factors that push Black and Hispanic workers into jobs that pay less and often put them most at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Virus still a threat&nbsp;

Walter L. Simmons, president and CEO of nonprofit Employ Prince George's, which serves a mostly Black and Hispanic county outside Washington, said the ongoing pandemic disruptions are keeping some people from taking jobs, or even looking for work.

Bus and ride-sharing services have not yet returned to normal, meaning many jobseekers often cannot get to work. Childcare also has been curtailed, so working parents have to figure out what to do with their children.

Many people in Prince George's county live with extended family, and may be reluctant to take a job where they risk infection, Simmons said,&nbsp;a fear that has grown more acute as the highly infectious <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delta-is-the-fastest-covid-19-variant-and-will-pick-off-the-most-vulnerable-who-393278">Delta variant</a> spreads.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandemic-economic-crisis-racial-injustice-climate-crisis-threats-to-our-democracy-says-president-biden-from-lincoln-memorial-358219">Pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, climate crisis threats to our democracy, says President Biden from Lincoln Memorial</a>

"Those are three areas we're seeing that nobody really has an answer for. They're just saying come back to work," Simmons said in an interview.

For now, jobless workers are able to survive off of expanded&nbsp;unemployment&nbsp;benefits authorized by the federal government, which pay some low-wage workers more than their previous jobs.

About two dozen states ended these benefits, and in September, they expire nationwide.&nbsp;

Simmons fears what could happen after.

"Those who were struggling prior to the pandemic, they're really going to struggle," he said.

As vaccines help quell COVID-19 cases, millions of Americans have gone back to work, but fewer Black and Hispanic workers are being rehired, entrenching persistent inequalities in the United States.

As vaccines help quell COVID-19 cases, millions of Americans have gone back to work, but fewer Black and Hispanic workers are being rehired, entrenching persistent inequalities in the United States. The divides are fueled by long-running employment discrimination, experts say, worsened by unique, virus-related disruptions that have left many job seekers unable to find work they can get to, or feel safe doing. Also read | Social inequities explain racial gaps in pandemic, studies find "We haven't actually addressed those underlying power disparities in the economy," said Kate Bahn, director of labour market policy with the Washington Center for Equitable Growth. After skyrocketing to 14.7 per cent in April 2020 when business restrictions to stop the virus from spreading were at their tightest, the US unemployment rate dropped to 5.9 per cent in June, according to the Labor Department. But the gains were not shared equally: the jobless rate for Black workers was 9.2 per cent and for Hispanics 7.4 per cent, compared with 5.2 per cent for whites. The racial and ethnic employment gaps in the world's largest economy were present even when unemployment was at record lows before the pandemic. In Washington, the issue is receiving renewed attention from President Joe Biden, who has put forth massive spending plans he says will help reshape the economy and make it more inclusive. Also read | Classrooms grapple with racial slurs in classic American novels "When I started studying economics in 1963, the average Black family's wealth was roughly 15 percent of the average white family's," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday. "What is surprising, however, is that it's almost six decades later, and the data point has barely changed. It's still 15 percent." The Federal Reserve has also pledged to keep interest rates low for longer to increase the hiring of racial minorities, something that took nearly a decade following the 2008 global financial crisis. "We all do better when the pie is bigger, and you get the pie bigger by being aggressive about this," William Spriggs, chief economist of the AFL-CIO trade union federation, told AFP. 'Fixed disparity' The Labor Department is due to release the latest employment report on Friday, which some economists expect will show the economy gaining over one million jobs in July, lowering the unemployment rate to 5.6 per cent as more businesses reopen. Also read | US protests highlight inequalities and endemic racial discrimination: UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet The June data showed unemployment for white women was five per cent, despite losing jobs last year at about the same rate as Black workers, who have seen much slower rehiring. The trend is similar for Hispanics. "There is a fixed disparity between Blacks and whites in terms of being rehired," Spriggs said. A higher share of Black women are looking for jobs than white women, but large and small companies nationwide nonetheless complain they cannot find people to fill open positions, especially skilled workers. "These employers are all yelling we can't find workers, we can't find workers. Black women are more available and yet they're not hiring them," Spriggs said. "It's discrimination. Until we get serious about discrimination in hiring and discrimination in labor force, we just can't advance." Also read | Black Lives Matter activists note contrast in police response at Capitol Scholars blame the disparity on factors that push Black and Hispanic workers into jobs that pay less and often put them most at risk of contracting COVID-19. Virus still a threat Walter L. Simmons, president and CEO of nonprofit Employ Prince George's, which serves a mostly Black and Hispanic county outside Washington, said the ongoing pandemic disruptions are keeping some people from taking jobs, or even looking for work. Bus and ride-sharing services have not yet returned to normal, meaning many jobseekers often cannot get to work. Childcare also has been curtailed, so working parents have to figure out what to do with their children. Many people in Prince George's county live with extended family, and may be reluctant to take a job where they risk infection, Simmons said, a fear that has grown more acute as the highly infectious Delta variant spreads. Also read | Pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, climate crisis threats to our democracy, says President Biden from Lincoln Memorial "Those are three areas we're seeing that nobody really has an answer for. They're just saying come back to work," Simmons said in an interview. For now, jobless workers are able to survive off of expanded unemployment benefits authorized by the federal government, which pay some low-wage workers more than their previous jobs. About two dozen states ended these benefits, and in September, they expire nationwide. Simmons fears what could happen after. "Those who were struggling prior to the pandemic, they're really going to struggle," he said.

Racial employment divide continues in recovering US economy

Almost 200,000 people have been asked to evacuate as the army prepares its offensive against insurgents fighting to take control of a string of besieged cities across Afghanistan.

This comes a day after the country's defence minister escaped a botched assassination attempt.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-afghan-defence-minister-in-kabul-claimed-by-taliban-402788">Attack on Afghan&nbsp;defence&nbsp;minister in&nbsp;Kabul claimed by&nbsp;Taliban</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

For the first time in months, the war has reached the capital thanks to the attack on Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi.&nbsp;

Taliban militants warned Tuesday of more attacks against Afghan government leaders.&nbsp;

The Taliban's threat came after the Afghan military launched a counterattack in the southern city of&nbsp;Lashkar&nbsp;Gah, where insurgents have infiltrated several parts of the city in numbers.

Saleh Mohammad, a resident, said hundreds of families fled, but many were caught in the crossfire.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabul-attacks-bear-the-hallmark-of-taliban-us-402696">Kabul attacks bear the 'hallmark' of Taliban: US</a>

"There is no way to escape from the area because the fighting is ongoing. There is no guarantee that we will not be killed on the way,"&nbsp;Mohammad told news agency AFP.&nbsp;"The government and the Taliban are destroying us."

Taking advantage of the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of US forces, the insurgents have taken over vast swathes of the countryside and key border towns.

With fierce fighting taking place for a week around Herat, near the western border with Iran, as well as around Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south, the Taliban are now targeting cities.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-taliban-claim-responisibilty-for-major-attack-in-kabul-402906/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Human Rights Watch has accused the Taliban of "summarily" executing captured officers, policemen, and civilians suspected of having ties to the government in territories&nbsp;they have seized.

Additionally, the group said it had obtained a list of 44 people killed by the Taliban in Spin Boldak, a town on the border with Pakistan which insurgents captured last month.

"Taliban commanders with oversight over such atrocities are also responsible for war crimes," Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at HRW, said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-responsible-for-outrageous-and-atrocious-acts-of-violence-us-state-department-402663">Taliban responsible for 'outrageous and atrocious acts of violence': US State Department</a>

Likewise, the United States and Britain have also accused the insurgents of committing atrocities they say may amount to "war crimes" in the town.

It would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the Afghan government if Lashkar Gah were lost.

(With inputs from agencies)

Almost 200,000 people have been asked to evacuate as the army prepares its offensive against insurgents fighting to take control of a string of besieged cities across Afghanistan.

Almost 200,000 people have been asked to evacuate as the army prepares its offensive against insurgents fighting to take control of a string of besieged cities across Afghanistan. This comes a day after the country's defence minister escaped a botched assassination attempt. Also read | Attack on Afghan defence minister in Kabul claimed by Taliban For the first time in months, the war has reached the capital thanks to the attack on Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi. Taliban militants warned Tuesday of more attacks against Afghan government leaders. The Taliban's threat came after the Afghan military launched a counterattack in the southern city of Lashkar Gah, where insurgents have infiltrated several parts of the city in numbers. Saleh Mohammad, a resident, said hundreds of families fled, but many were caught in the crossfire. Also read | Kabul attacks bear the 'hallmark' of Taliban: US "There is no way to escape from the area because the fighting is ongoing. There is no guarantee that we will not be killed on the way," Mohammad told news agency AFP. "The government and the Taliban are destroying us." Taking advantage of the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of US forces, the insurgents have taken over vast swathes of the countryside and key border towns. With fierce fighting taking place for a week around Herat, near the western border with Iran, as well as around Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south, the Taliban are now targeting cities. Human Rights Watch has accused the Taliban of "summarily" executing captured officers, policemen, and civilians suspected of having ties to the government in territories they have seized. Additionally, the group said it had obtained a list of 44 people killed by the Taliban in Spin Boldak, a town on the border with Pakistan which insurgents captured last month. "Taliban commanders with oversight over such atrocities are also responsible for war crimes," Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at HRW, said in a statement. Also read | Taliban responsible for 'outrageous and atrocious acts of violence': US State Department Likewise, the United States and Britain have also accused the insurgents of committing atrocities they say may amount to "war crimes" in the town. It would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the Afghan government if Lashkar Gah were lost. (With inputs from agencies)

Residents asked to flee as fighting rages on in Afghanistan's Lashkar Gah

Pakistan has other options if US President Joe Biden continues to ignore the leadership of the country, said Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf.&nbsp;

In an interview, Yusuf told The Financial Times, “The president of the United States hasn’t spoken to the prime minister of such an important country, who the US itself says is make-or-break in some cases, in some ways, in Afghanistan — we struggle to understand the signal, right?” &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-cannot-bear-burden-of-more-refugees-from-afghanistan-says-nsa-402154">Pak cannot bear burden of more refugees from Afghanistan, says NSA</a> 

Yusuf added, “We’ve been told every time that… [the phone call] will happen, it’s technical reasons or whatever. But frankly, people don’t believe it.”

While refusing to elaborate, the NSA said, “If a phone call is a concession, if a security relationship is a concession, Pakistan has options.” &nbsp;

However, the US State Department has already assured Islamabad that Washington recognises Pakistan’s vital role in restoring peace in Afghanistan and wants the country to play that role. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-selling-cars-and-buffaloes-broke-pakistan-puts-pm-imran-khans-residence-on-rent-402681">After selling cars and buffaloes, broke Pakistan puts PM Imran Khan's residence on rent</a>

US State Department’s spokesman Ned Price said, “Pakistan has much to gain and will continue to have a critical role, be well-positioned to have a role in supporting the outcome in Afghanistan.” &nbsp;

Price, in a briefing in Washington on Monday, said, “Not only the United States seeks, but that many of our international partners, many of the countries in the region also seek this supporting role from Pakistan. So, we’ll continue to work and to communicate closely with our Pakistani partners on this.” &nbsp;

Pakistan has other options if US President Joe Biden continues to ignore the leadership of the country, said Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf.

Pakistan has other options if US President Joe Biden continues to ignore the leadership of the country, said Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf. In an interview, Yusuf told The Financial Times, “The president of the United States hasn’t spoken to the prime minister of such an important country, who the US itself says is make-or-break in some cases, in some ways, in Afghanistan — we struggle to understand the signal, right?” Also Read: Pak cannot bear burden of more refugees from Afghanistan, says NSA Yusuf added, “We’ve been told every time that… [the phone call] will happen, it’s technical reasons or whatever. But frankly, people don’t believe it.” While refusing to elaborate, the NSA said, “If a phone call is a concession, if a security relationship is a concession, Pakistan has options.” However, the US State Department has already assured Islamabad that Washington recognises Pakistan’s vital role in restoring peace in Afghanistan and wants the country to play that role. Also Read: After selling cars and buffaloes, broke Pakistan puts PM Imran Khan's residence on rent US State Department’s spokesman Ned Price said, “Pakistan has much to gain and will continue to have a critical role, be well-positioned to have a role in supporting the outcome in Afghanistan.” Price, in a briefing in Washington on Monday, said, “Not only the United States seeks, but that many of our international partners, many of the countries in the region also seek this supporting role from Pakistan. So, we’ll continue to work and to communicate closely with our Pakistani partners on this.”

Pakistan has other options if US continues to ignore its leadership: NSA

Brigitte Xie reads music, can play Beethoven's Sonatina in F Major, and has won a spot to perform at Carnegie Hall. She is 4 years old. 12-years-old Cary Wang is playing piano since he was 5. He has played at Carnegie Hall six times.

Meet pint-size US piano prodigies

Automakers in America and the United Auto Workers or UAW union said on Tuesday that they will once again make masks mandatory at all U.S. plants. This decision was made following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC making masks compulsory for fully vaccinated people as the Delta variant spreads rapidly in the U.S.

Automakers in America to make masks mandatory at all U.S. plants

In an incident of violence outside world’s one of the safest places, a Pentagon police officer died after being stabbed on Tuesday. &nbsp;

The violence occurred at a transit station outside Pentagon, which lies on the outskirts of Washington DC. In the incident, security agencies also shot a suspect, who died at the scene, said officials.&nbsp;

The US military headquarters, Pentagon, was placed on a temporary lockdown after gunshots were fired near the building’s entrance. The lockdown was lifted later.&nbsp;

On the condition of anonymity, some officials told Associated Press, a Pentagon police officer, who was stabbed, died. &nbsp;

Although it is still unclear that the shooting and the stabbing of the officer are interlinked or not, more information about the incident may come in after Pentagon holds a news conference. &nbsp;

According to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, the violence happened on a Metro bus platform, which is a part of the Pentagon transit center.&nbsp;

It is very close to Pentagon building, which is in Arlington County, Virginia.&nbsp;

Multiple gunshots were heard near the building and police were heard yelling 'shooter'. The facility was on lockdown due to 'police activity', said a Pentagon announcement. &nbsp;

The Pentagon authorities are yet to provide more details or the sequence of events.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In an incident of violence outside world’s one of the safest places, a Pentagon police officer died after being stabbed on Tuesday. The violence occurred at a transit station outside Pentagon, which lies on the outskirts of Washington DC.

In an incident of violence outside world’s one of the safest places, a Pentagon police officer died after being stabbed on Tuesday. The violence occurred at a transit station outside Pentagon, which lies on the outskirts of Washington DC. In the incident, security agencies also shot a suspect, who died at the scene, said officials. The US military headquarters, Pentagon, was placed on a temporary lockdown after gunshots were fired near the building’s entrance. The lockdown was lifted later. On the condition of anonymity, some officials told Associated Press, a Pentagon police officer, who was stabbed, died. Although it is still unclear that the shooting and the stabbing of the officer are interlinked or not, more information about the incident may come in after Pentagon holds a news conference. According to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, the violence happened on a Metro bus platform, which is a part of the Pentagon transit center. It is very close to Pentagon building, which is in Arlington County, Virginia. Multiple gunshots were heard near the building and police were heard yelling 'shooter'. The facility was on lockdown due to 'police activity', said a Pentagon announcement. The Pentagon authorities are yet to provide more details or the sequence of events. (With inputs from agencies)

Officer dead in violence outside Pentagon, say US officials 

South Korea said on Monday no decision has yet been made on its joint military exercises with the United States but they should not create tension, after North Korea warned the South against holding the exercises amid signs of a thaw in relations. 
 
South Korea and the United States regularly stage military exercises, mainly in the spring and summer, which North Korea routinely denounces as rehearsals for war. 
 
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a senior official of the ruling Workers' Party, warned Seoul on Sunday that holding the drills would undercut efforts to rebuild relations. 
 
Her warning came days after the two Koreas restored hotlines Pyongyang severed a year ago and South Korean officials said Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in were seeking to repair strained ties and resume summits. 
 
South Korea's defence ministry said Seoul and Washington were in talks over the drills but no decision had yet been made. 
 
"We have nothing to comment on her statement, but regarding the exercises, the timing and method have not been finalised," ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan told a briefing. 
 
He said the allies would make a decision after considering COVID-19, joint defence posture, planned transfer of wartime operational control, and the issue of "supporting diplomatic efforts for establishing lasting peace on the Korean peninsula." 
 
Lee Jong-joo, spokeswoman of Seoul's Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the exercises should not be a "source of military tension in any case", without elaborating. 
 
The Pentagon also declined to comment on Kim Yo Jong's statement. It said it did not comment on "planned or conducted training readiness" but "combined training events" were a bilateral decision "and any decisions will be a mutual agreement." 
 
A US&nbsp;State Department spokesperson reiterated that Washington "supports inter-Korean dialogue and engagement, and welcomes the recent developments related to inter-Korean communication," adding that "diplomacy and dialogue are essential to achieving the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula." 
 
At the same time, US&nbsp;State Department spokesman Ned Price told a news briefing Secretary of State Antony Blinken planned to call on Southeast Asian counterparts in a meeting this week to fully implement sanctions on North Korea. 
 
A US&nbsp;official briefing reporters ahead of a series of virtual regional meetings this week, said North Korea's foreign minister was expected to attend one, the ASEAN Regional Forum, but Blinken, who would also take part, had no plan to engage with him on any particular issue. 
 
US-South Korea exercises have been scaled back in recent years to facilitate talks between North Korea and the administration of former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes in return for US&nbsp;sanctions relief. 
 
But the negotiations stalled following a failed second Trump-Kim summit in 2019. 
 
The pandemic has affected the drills, with the allies focusing on computerised simulations and minimising live field training without mobilising US-based troops. 
 
A high-level Unification Ministry official said on Friday the exercises should be postponed to help restart talks, but Lee declined to comment when asked if the ministry plans to make a formal recommendation. 
 
Lee said Seoul last week proposed setting up a video conference system to expedite inter-Korean dialogue and approved plans by two civilian relief groups to send humanitarian aid to North Korea.

South Korea said on Monday no decision has yet been made on its joint military exercises with the United States but they should not create tension, after North Korea warned the South against holding the exercises amid signs of a thaw in relations.

South Korea said on Monday no decision has yet been made on its joint military exercises with the United States but they should not create tension, after North Korea warned the South against holding the exercises amid signs of a thaw in relations. South Korea and the United States regularly stage military exercises, mainly in the spring and summer, which North Korea routinely denounces as rehearsals for war. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a senior official of the ruling Workers' Party, warned Seoul on Sunday that holding the drills would undercut efforts to rebuild relations. Her warning came days after the two Koreas restored hotlines Pyongyang severed a year ago and South Korean officials said Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in were seeking to repair strained ties and resume summits. South Korea's defence ministry said Seoul and Washington were in talks over the drills but no decision had yet been made. "We have nothing to comment on her statement, but regarding the exercises, the timing and method have not been finalised," ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan told a briefing. He said the allies would make a decision after considering COVID-19, joint defence posture, planned transfer of wartime operational control, and the issue of "supporting diplomatic efforts for establishing lasting peace on the Korean peninsula." Lee Jong-joo, spokeswoman of Seoul's Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the exercises should not be a "source of military tension in any case", without elaborating. The Pentagon also declined to comment on Kim Yo Jong's statement. It said it did not comment on "planned or conducted training readiness" but "combined training events" were a bilateral decision "and any decisions will be a mutual agreement." A US State Department spokesperson reiterated that Washington "supports inter-Korean dialogue and engagement, and welcomes the recent developments related to inter-Korean communication," adding that "diplomacy and dialogue are essential to achieving the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula." At the same time, US State Department spokesman Ned Price told a news briefing Secretary of State Antony Blinken planned to call on Southeast Asian counterparts in a meeting this week to fully implement sanctions on North Korea. A US official briefing reporters ahead of a series of virtual regional meetings this week, said North Korea's foreign minister was expected to attend one, the ASEAN Regional Forum, but Blinken, who would also take part, had no plan to engage with him on any particular issue. US-South Korea exercises have been scaled back in recent years to facilitate talks between North Korea and the administration of former US President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes in return for US sanctions relief. But the negotiations stalled following a failed second Trump-Kim summit in 2019. The pandemic has affected the drills, with the allies focusing on computerised simulations and minimising live field training without mobilising US-based troops. A high-level Unification Ministry official said on Friday the exercises should be postponed to help restart talks, but Lee declined to comment when asked if the ministry plans to make a formal recommendation. Lee said Seoul last week proposed setting up a video conference system to expedite inter-Korean dialogue and approved plans by two civilian relief groups to send humanitarian aid to North Korea.

Seoul says no decision on US drills, but exercises should not create North Korea tension

The US State Department spokesman Ned Price Monday on August 2 said that the Taliban is responsible for 'outrageous and atrocious acts of violence.'

Taliban fighters pushed deeper into the southern Afghan provincial capital of Lashkargah on Monday and closed in on government buildings, a senior official said, as the insurgents pressed a rapid advance.

Heavy fighting was raging close to the National Directorate of Security, the prison and the police headquarters in the main city in Helmand province, the government official said, asking not to be named.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-taliban-says-it-doesnt-have-ties-with-pak-based-terror-groups-like-let-jem-398814">Also read |&nbsp;Exclusive:&nbsp;Taliban says it doesn't have ties with Pak-based terror groups like&nbsp;LeT,&nbsp;JeM</a>

Taliban fighters have moved in on three provincial capitals in the last few days and seized territory nationwide since Washington said it planned a complete withdrawal of troops by September.

Most of their advances have focused on rural areas and they have yet to take full control of a major city.

Price engaged in a testy exchange about the situation in Afghanistan with a reporter at the State Department.

The US State Department spokesman Ned Price Monday on August 2 said that the Taliban is responsible for 'outrageous and atrocious acts of violence.' Taliban fighters pushed deeper into the southern Afghan provincial capital of Lashkargah on Monday and closed in on government buildings, a senior official said, as the insurgents pressed a rapid advance.

The US State Department spokesman Ned Price Monday on August 2 said that the Taliban is responsible for 'outrageous and atrocious acts of violence.' Taliban fighters pushed deeper into the southern Afghan provincial capital of Lashkargah on Monday and closed in on government buildings, a senior official said, as the insurgents pressed a rapid advance. Heavy fighting was raging close to the National Directorate of Security, the prison and the police headquarters in the main city in Helmand province, the government official said, asking not to be named. Also read | Exclusive: Taliban says it doesn't have ties with Pak-based terror groups like LeT, JeM Taliban fighters have moved in on three provincial capitals in the last few days and seized territory nationwide since Washington said it planned a complete withdrawal of troops by September. Most of their advances have focused on rural areas and they have yet to take full control of a major city. Price engaged in a testy exchange about the situation in Afghanistan with a reporter at the State Department.

Taliban responsible for 'outrageous and atrocious acts of violence': US State Department

At least 70 per cent of the US adults have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, says data published by the CDC. This is about a month behind President Joe Biden's Fourth of July goal.&nbsp;

Dr. Paul Offit, a voting member of the Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, in a recent interview said, "We need to have at least 80% of the population vaccinated to truly have some form of herd immunity".&nbsp;

He added, "This is a fairly contagious virus".

Natasha Bhuyan, a family physician with One Medical in Phoenix, said that while the 70 per cent nationwide mark is noteworthy, local communities with lower vaccination rates are still a matter of worry.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/less-than-1-fully-vaccinated-may-get-a-breakthrough-covid-infection-report-402550">Also read |&nbsp;Less than 1% fully vaccinated may get a ‘breakthrough’ Covid infection: Report</a>

She said, "Even if America reaches 70 per cent or 75 per cent, if we continue to have ZIP codes and neighbourhoods at 40 or 50 per cent, they will continue to be at risk of having outbreaks and being hot spots".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of official US state data, less than 1% of fully vaccinated people have experienced a breakthrough infection lately, a CNN report said.&nbsp;

The US federal government has been reporting data about breakthrough infections, which result in hospitalisation or death.&nbsp;

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest data says, less than 0.004 per cent people, who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus experienced a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalisation, while less than 0.001 per cent died. Out of more than 163 million fully vaccinated people in the US, it is about 6,600 severe cases. The analysis shows breakthrough infections are extremely rare.&nbsp;

At least 70 per cent of the US adults have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, says data published by the CDC. This is about a month behind President Joe Biden's Fourth of July goal.

At least 70 per cent of the US adults have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, says data published by the CDC. This is about a month behind President Joe Biden's Fourth of July goal. Dr. Paul Offit, a voting member of the Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, in a recent interview said, "We need to have at least 80% of the population vaccinated to truly have some form of herd immunity". He added, "This is a fairly contagious virus". Natasha Bhuyan, a family physician with One Medical in Phoenix, said that while the 70 per cent nationwide mark is noteworthy, local communities with lower vaccination rates are still a matter of worry. Also read | Less than 1% fully vaccinated may get a ‘breakthrough’ Covid infection: Report She said, "Even if America reaches 70 per cent or 75 per cent, if we continue to have ZIP codes and neighbourhoods at 40 or 50 per cent, they will continue to be at risk of having outbreaks and being hot spots". Meanwhile, a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of official US state data, less than 1% of fully vaccinated people have experienced a breakthrough infection lately, a CNN report said. The US federal government has been reporting data about breakthrough infections, which result in hospitalisation or death. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest data says, less than 0.004 per cent people, who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus experienced a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalisation, while less than 0.001 per cent died. Out of more than 163 million fully vaccinated people in the US, it is about 6,600 severe cases. The analysis shows breakthrough infections are extremely rare.

US reaches 70 per cent vaccine milestone for adults, a month behind Biden's goal

us-1

Us, News on Us, stories on Us, articles on Us, Us stories at Wion, Us news, Us latest news

us 1