1 State Dept: There Is No Deadline For Getting American Out Of Afghanistan
While President Biden maintains that the United States will be out of Afghanistan by August 31st, Secretary of State Antony Blinken says "there is no deadline" for helping any Americans or Afghan nationals leave if they want to do so. That said, he believes that officials are on track to complete the mission by the deadline. During a briefing, he noted that making that deadline depends on the Taliban cooperates. Added to that, he allowed that there is a "very real possibility" of an ISIS attack at any moment. The timing of that remark couldn’t have been more appropriate – as overnight, Embassy officials posted a security alert directing Americans to leave several gates surrounding Kabul airport due to an undetermined threat.
2 Johnson &Johnson Says Its Booster Shot Increases Immune Response
Johnson & Johnson says a booster dose of its one-shot COVID vaccine is generating a robust increase in immune response. The company says a recent study shows people who received a booster shot six- to eight-months after their first dose saw their antibodies increase nine times higher than after the first shot. For the study, about two-thousand people in the U.S. and Europe received booster doses of J&J's Janssen vaccine for the study. So far, the CDC says about 14-million Americans have received the vaccine. On a related note the investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. While there have been some suggestions about what’s in the thing – there’s no timeline when the rest of us will see it. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says President Biden has been briefed and that the intelligence community is working on an unclassified version to release to the public.
3 Harlem Hellfighters To Receive Congressional Gold Medal
President Biden has signed off on a long-overdue honor for the legendary Harlem Hellfighters: they will be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The 369th Infantry Regiment – a New York National Guard unit known more commonly as the Harlem Hellfighters – literally gave their enemies hell during the first World War. Overcoming racism, the men served alongside French soldiers when white Americans refused. The unit also suffered more casualties than any other U.S. regiment during the war. How tough were they? The men waged brutal trench warfare in Europe for 191 straight days. "It's unfortunate that it's taken so long for this country to recognize their bravery because so many of our soldiers of color were not recognized for their service," Sen. Chuck Schumer, says in a statement. "The Harlem Hellfighters are an example of bravery and courage under fire. And even though this regiment was consigned to racial segregation, they still loved America, and fought hard for America, and died for America."