Senate Stablecoin Bill Sparks Clash Between Banks and Crypto Industry 
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Trump-Xi Beijing Summit to Focus on Trade, Taiwan, and Boeing Deal 
Qatar LNG Tanker Crosses Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran War Tensions 
Taiwan Confident in Strong U.S. Relations Ahead of Trump-Xi China Summit 
Russian LNG Shadow Fleet Expands Amid Arctic LNG 2 Sanctions 
Trump Credits Belarus Prisoner Release in U.S.-Backed Swap 
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Ceasefire Violations Amid Drone and Artillery Attacks 
Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill Three Amid Fragile Ceasefire Tensions 
Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Confirmed as Prisoner Swap Deal Advances 
Judge Delays SEC Settlement With Elon Musk Over Twitter Stock Disclosure Case 
Malaysia Unveils Energy Security Plan Amid Iran Conflict and Rising Oil Costs 
Trump-Xi Summit Sparks Renewed Hope for Americans Detained in China 
Qatar Condemns Drone Strike as Iran Conflict Threatens Gulf Shipping and Global Markets 
Keir Starmer Faces Leadership Pressure as Labour Turns Toward Europe 
US Auto Industry Urges Trump to Block Chinese EV Market Access 
Delcy Rodriguez Appears at ICJ Hearing Over Venezuela-Guyana Esequibo Dispute 
The Biden administration is increasing efforts to get Americans vaccinated in light of the surge in cases, especially of the Delta variant. This week, President Joe Biden has announced that the US has finally hit the 70 percent vaccination rate.
Biden took to Twitter Monday to make the announcement that the country has met the goal of having 70 percent of adults inoculated against COVID-19. The rate comes weeks after the July 4 deadline that Biden initially hoped and as the country experienced a slight decline in vaccination rates. The waning rates also come as political tensions have led to many refusing to get vaccinated, with most of the coronavirus cases nowadays coming from those who did not get a shot.
“Folks, we’ve officially reached our goal of 70% of adults receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. It’s incredible progress, but we still have further to go. If you haven’t already, get vaccinated. Let’s defeat this virus once and for all,” tweeted Biden.
The political divide deepened since vaccinations were becoming more promoted. Coincidentally, areas of the country that voted for disgraced former President Donald Trump showed low vaccination rates and high hospitalization rates. However, both Democrats and Republicans are urging Americans to still get inoculated against COVID-19 as protection against the Delta variant of the virus.
Biden’s announcement also follows his announcement last week that federal employees must get vaccinated or go through weekly testing, mask-wearing, and social distancing should they choose not to reveal their vaccination status or stay unvaccinated. Those who are unvaccinated will also face restrictions on travel. Over 600,000 Americans have already died from the coronavirus as of now.
Meanwhile, Biden has also pushed back on Republican governors who remain defiant towards vaccine rules that look to curb the spread of the Delta variant in their states. Biden voiced his support towards the city and private mandates that would require people to be vaccinated in order to do their daily activities.
Biden delivered a sharp criticism to GOP Governors Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott, among other Republican officials who are moving to block the imposition of mask mandates.
“If you’re not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing,” said the US leader.
