Palestinians call off 1M dose COVID-19 vaccine exchange with Israel

The Palestinian Authority called off an agreement whereby Israel would transfer 1M doses of vaccines to it in exchange for the same later this year.

Delta variant expected to become dominant US strain, CDC says

The delta variant first detected in India will likely become the dominant U.S. strain, the CDC director said — who stressed vaccination to stay protected.

U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan locked down amid huge COVID-19 surge

The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan is locking down because of a massive spike in coronavirus cases among employees. The embassy is ordering staffers into virtual isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Latinas left workforce more than other demographics amid COVID-19 pandemic, report says

A new report finds that Latinas have left the workforce at rates higher than any other demographic and also have had some of the highest unemployment rates throughout the pandemic.

Lawmakers seek 9/11-style commission to probe COVID-19 pandemic

A push is underway on Capitol Hill and beyond for a full-blown investigation of the coronavirus outbreak by a national commission like the one that looked into 9/11.

US unemployment claims tick up to 412,000 from pandemic low

The Labor Department said jobless claims in the U.S. rose 37,000 from the week before to 412,000, an increase for the first time since April.

COVID-19 vaccinations slow down as infectious delta variant spreads

One major concern is the highly contagious and potentially more severe delta variant of the coronavirus that originated in India. While health officials say the vaccines are effective against it, the fear is that it will lead to outbreaks in states with lower vaccination rates.

Millions fear eviction as housing crisis worsens

More than 4 million people say they fear being evicted or foreclosed upon in the coming months just as two studies released Wednesday found that the nation's housing availability and affordability crisis is expected to worsen significantly following the pandemic.

EU recommends countries begin lifting travel restrictions for Americans

The recommendation from the European Union is non-binding, and national governments still have authority to require test results or vaccination records and to set other entry conditions.

Some hospitals seeing no new COVID-19 patients, but delta variant could undo progress

Some hospitals are going days without any new COVID-19 patients for the first time in more than a year, but the milestone could be undone by the delta variant becoming more dominant in the U.S., putting unvaccinated Americans at risk.

US COVID-19 death toll reaches 600,000 as cases, vaccinations slow

More than 600,000 Americans have now died of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.

White House July 4 party will celebrate independence from COVID-19

President Biden wants to give July 4th new meaning this year and is also encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the country’s effective return to normalcy.

COVID-19 likely in US by Christmas 2019, new blood samples suggest

Thousands of new blood samples suggest COVID-19 popped up in the U.S. in December 2019 — weeks before cases were first recognized by health officials.

Cashier dead, deputy injured after dispute with man over a mask, GBI says

The GBI has released the name of the suspect who investigators said killed a cashier and injured a deputy in a shooting stemming from a dispute over wearing a mask.

Study: Delta variant can reduce Pfizer, Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness

Recently released studies out of the U.K. found Pfizer’s and Astrazeneca’s COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness was diminished somewhat by the Delta variant, but both vaccines remained protective against hospitalization.